After Maharashtra, IPL's water woes extend to Rajasthan courts

With the Rajasthan High Court also questioning the state for allowing Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in the state, the cash-rich league of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) continues to find itself at the centre of water controversy.

Bombay HC had ordered all matches in the drought-hit state of Maharashtra to be moved out of the region, which the BCCI abided except asking for an excuse to hold the May 1 game in Pune as scheduled due to logistical difficulties.

As a result, Mumbai Indians opted for the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur to be their home ground. However, the Rajasthan HC has issued a notice to the state government, BCCI and water resources department over conducting IPL in the state.

The HC has questioned why IPL matches should be shifted to Rajasthan when the state itself is facing acute water shortage.

The matter comes up for hearing next week and the state government will have to file its reply then.

Last week, even the Karnataka HC asked the Bengaluru Water Board to make sure that no water is wasted during the IPL. The order came after the Karnataka State Cricket Association had said it would make arrangements for recycled water during the matches.