IPl chairman Rajiv Shukla on Tuesday ruled out shifting the matches out of Maharashtra on account of the drought and water scarcity. Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur in the state would be hosting IPl matches this season.
"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, all of us will think in what way we can help the farmers, and I, through my MPlAD fund, am going to personally adopt some villeges...There is a water crisis in Marathwada, that will be solved," he told reporters here at an event organised by Vivo.
There is a demand from some quarters that IPl matches should not be played in the state as the preparation of grounds requires huge amounts of water.
"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 (saving water by shifting matches) 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," he said.
There was no proposal to shift the matches or change the schedule, he said to a specific question.
The opening ceremony of the Indian Premier league (IPl) 2016 will witness a host of Bollywood and international stars performing, including Ranveer Singh, Jacqueline Fernandes, Katrina Kaif and Yo Yo Honey Singh along with American singer Chris Brown and musical group Major lazer.