Seeking long term solutions the key for sorting out water crisis in Maharashtra, says Dhoni

AMIDST PUBLIC UNREST over holding IPL matches in Maharashtra in the face of water scarcity woes, Rising Pune Supergiants' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said seeking for long term solutions instead of shifting IPL matches, will resolve Maharashtra’s undying water crisis.

When asked about his views on the adversity that Maharashtra faces, Dhoni told PTI,

“If you see, all these questions are good to hear, I think for us it’s more important to seek long-term solutions.” 

The shifting of the IPL matches has been a talking point since a PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court questioning the use of large quantity of water for the maintenance of pitches despite the prevailing drought. 

Last week, the Bombay High Court on Friday gave its permission to go ahead with the opening match of IPL. With new franchise team Rising Pune Supergiants added to this season's IPL, Maharastra looks to hold a total of 19 more matches after holding the opening match at Wankhede.

“Whether IPL’s match number 5, 6 or 7 happens or not, I don’t think it makes much of a difference,”

said Dhoni at the media conference. 

MS further added, 

“But we have to look at a long-term solution… How we ensure water is sent to those areas where there is water shortage. I think people talking about whether matches should happen or not, it’s more momentarily driven than anything else. I think what’s important for us as a county is to see what the long-term solution is and we have to move in that direction.”