IPL Chairman Shukla reluctant to move matches out of Maharashtra

THE INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE (IPL) has always been marred with controversies. As we have seen in the past, even before a ball gets bowled, the cash-rich tournament invariably is in the news for all the wrong reasons. And, this time too, the IPL is in the news after being questioned by the Bombay High Court for holding IPL matches in Maharashtra.
 
Having received inadequate rainfall last year, Maharashtra is known to be suffering from one of the worst droughts of the decade. In order to show support to the drought affected communities, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday came out strongly against the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA).
 
As reported by ibnlive, the court asked,
 

“We are not against holding of IPL matches. On the other hand, you say 40 lakh litre of water is simply being used for maintenance. Can't IPL be shifted to other states?"

However, the MCA lawyer defended their decision of holding IPL matches in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur and replied, 

"This is non-potable water that we get via tankers"

 
The IPL which has a huge fan following in Maharashtra will now see a new team in Rising Pune Supergiants. While the IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla isn’t keen on shifting matches out of Maharashtra, he has ensured support to the farmers of the state.

“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."  

The matter has been kept for another hearing at 3 p.m. on Thursday.