Indian Premier League chairman Rajiv Shukla on Tuesday ruled out the shifting of matches out of Maharashtra on account of shortage of water. Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur in the state will be hosting a total of 20 matches in the ninth edition of IPL, including the opener and final in Mumbai and eliminator plus qualifier 2 in Pune.
The Wankhede stadium in Mumbai is the home ground of Mumbai Indians while new franchise Rising Pune Supergiants will play their home matches at Maharashtra Cricket Association International Stadium in Pune. Kings XI Punjab is set to play its three home games at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
“As far as the question of drought, water is concerned, we are with the farmers of Maharashtra, we are ready to help in all possible ways. If the Maharashtra government brings a proposal, then BCCI president (Shashank Manohar), all of us will think in what way we can help the farmers, and I, through my MPLAD fund, will personally adopt some villages...there is a water crisis in Marathwada, that will be solved,” Mr Shukla said at a function organised by Vivo, who are the IPL title sponsors.
Mr Shukla, who is a member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Congress, said there was no proposal to shift the matches out of the state and has appealed to all political parties to come together to deal with the water crisis in the state.
“If the water needed to irrigate two-three grounds were to solve the problem of Maharashtra’s farmers, that would be another thing. I don’t think this would serve any purpose. Sport is a different thing, it needs little water. Farmers need huge amount of water, all political parties should come together to deal with this crisis of water shortage,” said Mr Shukla.
The annual T20 extravaganza will kick off on April 9 in Mumbai with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Rising Pune Supergiants.
