Consider shifting IPL matches out of Maharashtra: Court to BCCI

The future of IPL matches in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur continues to hang in balance with the Bombay High Court on Tuesday asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) to consider shifting the matches outside the state.

The court also asked the Board whether it will financially contribute to the state chief minister’s drought relief fund and whether it will send as much treated sewage water as is being used for stadiums to drought affected areas.

Adjourning for the day, it asked the BCCI to respond to its questions on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Board’s counsel had told the court that it had tied up with the Royal Western India Turf Club, which runs the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, to get treated sewage water from its treatment plant for IPL matches that are to be played in Mumbai and Pune.

The BCCI also told the court that the Kings XI Punjab team was willing to move three of its matches that are scheduled in Nagpur to its home ground Mohali or anywhere else if the court directs it.

He told the court that the turf club will supply seven-eight tankers of treated sewage water to the stadiums every day. “In this case, instead of discharging treated sewage water into the sea, we are using it in the stadiums,” the counsel told the court.

The counsel had even brought with him a bottle with sample of water that is being used to maintain the grounds, showing that it is unfit for drinking.