No IPL matches in Maharashtra in May, orders Bombay High Court

Although, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the three franchises tried to persuade the court through a series of offers to prevent the reallocation of games, the Bombay High Court today ordered the board to shift the matches in May to another location.

Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants had committed to donating Rs.5 crores each to the Chief Minister’s relief fund to help the farmers and the cricket associations had committed to giving 60 lakh litres of treated sewage water free of cost to any region selected by the government. 

While acknowledging the contributions by the BCCI and the franchises, the court said that the matches cannot go ahead beyond the end of April 30 with the state suffering from a severe water crisis. 

The ruling was made on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking the shifting of IPL matches out of Maharashtra. The BCCI told the court on Wednesday that the shifting of matches was not feasible because of the concerns over financial investments and the brand value of the IPL. According to reports, the Rising Pune Supergiants franchise had said that the shifting of IPL matches out of Pune will affect the brand value of the team.

"We can't run away from the fact that we have invested, moving out will upset the balance. The brand and value of the team gets disturbed. We are there only for two years and yet we are willing to make this sacrifice. Changing the stadia is a problem," was the franchise's stance, according to Times Now.

A total of 13 matches will be shifted out of Maharashtra, including the two knockout matches and IPL final on May 29. The BCCI, now has to find alternative venues for the concerned matches before May 1. 

(Also, read about BCCI asking three IPL teams to send water to drought-hit districts)