MUMBAI: It will not be feasible to shift IPL matches out of Pune, the BCCI told the Bombay High Court today while stating that franchises of Mumbai and Pune teams are willing to contribute Rs five crore towards the Chief Minister’s drought relief fund.
The BCCI spelt out its stand before a bench of Justices V M Kanade and M S Karnik, hearing a PIL by NGO Loksatta Movement challenging use of large quantities of water in stadiums at a time when the state was reeling under severe drought conditions.
BCCI’s counsel Rafiq Dada also told the high court that the cricket board is ready to supply over 60 lakh litres of non-potable water to drought-hit areas in Maharashtra free of cost.
He said the water will be supplied in support with Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), Mumbai Cricket Association and Maharashtra Cricket Association.
“It would not be feasible to shift matches out of Pune as it will disturb the Pune team’s brand value and economic balance,” he said.
The franchises of Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants are willing to contribute Rs five crore to the CM’s drought relief fund, Dada said.
Pune team franchise’s senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas told the court, “We have already invested a lot of money. 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.”
Dada conceded this argument and said over Rs 30 crores have been invested by the franchises for holding the matches in their respective home cities.(Agencies)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
