We are committed to farmers’ welfare: IPL chief Rajiv Shukla

With uncertainly prevailing over the fate of IPL matches in drought-hit Maharashtra, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla on Friday said they are committed to the welfare of the farmers and will do whatever is suggested to them.

With uncertainly prevailing over the fate of IPL matches in drought-hit Maharashtra, IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla on Friday said they are committed to the welfare of the farmers and will do whatever is suggested to them.

Rajiv Shukla said the IPL and the BCCI are committed to the welfare of the farmers and will do whatever is suggested to them. (AP file photo)

Responding to a PIL which wants all the IPL matches to be moved out of Maharashtra, a state facing acute water shortage, the Bombay High Court gave a go-ahead to at least the tournament opener between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the ninth edition of the hugely-popular league, Shukla said, “The IPL and BCCI are committed to the welfare of the farmers. We will do whatever is suggested to us. We will co-operate with whatever is told to us.”

Three cities in the state -- Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur -- are scheduled to host 19 matches in total this edition.

Shukla further said the perception of the IPL being an entertainment show was wrong.

The IPL Chairman also said they have made conscious efforts to involve fans in the game by introducing a new feature in which the fans will be given placards to express their views on certain decisions referred to the third umpire.