The BCCI told the Bombay High Court that a lot of money had already been invested in the tournament and suggested that it could provide 64 lakh litres of non-potable water to the state in order to make-up for the loss in the water table due to the upkeep of the stadiums for the tournament.
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While the Mumbai Indians are scheduled to play three matches at their home ground, the Wankhede Stadium, after 30 April, the Sanjeev Goenka-promoted Rising Pune Supergiants are scheduled to host four matches at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje, near Pune.
The state is said to have asserted on shifting IPL out of the state and have no affinity for matches.
Two franchises of the cash-rich Twenty20 league had said they would donate 50 million rupees ($750,000) to drought relief programmes if the matches could be kept in the state.
The move by BCCI came after some serious reprimand from the Bombay HC over the past week or so over its decision to hold matches of the Indian Premiere League in Maharashtra despite the prevailing drought conditions. 13 matches will be affected now due to the ruling, which includes the Eliminator and the 2nd Qualifier originally scheduled to be held in Pune and the final, which was supposed to be played in Mumbai on May 29.
“Is any sport so sinful or pernicious that it should be sent to another state?”
The direction was given after BCCI informed the court that it would henceforth use treated sewage water, provided by the Royal Western Indian Turf Club (RWITC) in Mumbai and Pune, to maintain its grounds and pitches. “Shifting matches at this stage will not only affect the finances, but if the home team’s game is shifted to another state, it will lose support”.
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Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia, who was among the first to advocate shifting of matches, said he is glad that sensitivities of the drought-affected people in Maharashtra are being respected. Dada argued that during the T20 World Cup held recently, nine qualifying mathes were held in Nagpur, but at that time nobody raised a hue and cry about water wastage. They also stated to use treated sewage waters for usage in Maharashtra. The Pune franchise’s lawyer also said that large part of what the court and the petitioner suggested is being done and that they were ready for something more as suggested by petitioners and court. The judges also asked the board whether it can contribute to the Chief Minister’s drought relief fund.
