Kings XI Punjab considering shifting its IPL matches out of Maharashtra

- 'We are considering it on human grounds and considering it very seriously. We are considering it internally.'

Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia on Monday said that the franchise is 'very seriously considering' shifting its three Indian Premier League matches from drought-hit Maharashtra to some other venue.

- 'IPL games will waste 60 lakh litres in a drought-hit state'

Kings XI Punjab are scheduled to play three matches in Maharashtra -- against Delhi Daredevils on May 7 in Nagpur, followed by a match against Mumbai Indians on May 13 in Mumbai and against Rising Pune Supergiants on May 21 in Pune.

"We are considering it on human grounds and considering it very seriously. We are considering it internally," Wadia told Times Now on the crisis that has created acute water shortage in the rural areas of drought-hit Maharashtra.

When asked if there have been any advice, Wadia said: "At the end of the day, we are going to listen to ourselves, what we can do as a franchise as we are all Indians. It's not good that people don't have water."

The Bombay high court gave a go-ahead for the first IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants on April 9 but the remaining 19 matches in the state are still under a cloud of doubt.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Anurag Thakur recently said that the state of Maharashtra could lose approximately Rs 100 crore if the matches are shifted out of the state.

- Check out the IPL schedule

Image: Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia

Photograph: BCCI