IPL 9 matches in May to be moved out of Maharashtra

A recent report from the drought-hit state of Maharashtra has stated that all the IPL 9 matches after the 30th of April would have to be moved out of the state. The severe water crisis has led to yet another venue-shifting controversy. A few IPL fixtures were scheduled to be held in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur will now be moved out as the BCCI mull over alternative venues for the same.

Therefore, 13 matches will be moved out of the state across the trio of venues. The matches that the state will miss includes the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, scheduled for Pune, and the final, slated for May 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Apart from the Wankhede Stadium that is home to the Mumbai Indians and the stadium in Pune that serves as the home ground for Pune, the VCA Stadium in Nagpur was to host three matches of the Kings XI Punjab. However, with the verdict from the high court, the BCCI will have to find alternative venues for the matches.

A report read: “While the Punjab franchise had earlier on expressed a willingness to shift the three Nagpur matches back to its original home, Mohali, the other two franchises had said they would contribute Rs 5 crore towards the Chief Minister’s drought relief fund.”

Earlier, the BCCI had attempted to keep the matches in the state by suggesting a plethora of ideas. The board had also struck a deal with the RWITC (Royal Western India Turf Club Limited) to use sewage treated water. The matter had come up following a PIL filed by NGO Loksatta Movement, which objected to the use of large quantities of water in stadiums at a time when the state was going through severe drought conditions.

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