IPL's opening match to take place as per schedule

The Indian Premier League (IPL) opener between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday (April 9) is set to take place as per schedule after the Bombay High Court adjourned the hearing on the matter of hosting matches in drought-hit Maharashtra.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by Ketan Tirodhkar of Loksatta Movement, demanding the shift of IPL matches out of the state. It had argued that close to 60 lakh litres of water will be wasted, while many parts of state is affected by drought.

While the court had suggested shifting of matches outside the state, it hasn't passed an order as yet. It has asked the Maharashtra state government and Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai's civic body, to file their replies.

Twenty matches are scheduled to be played in three venues in Maharashtra - Mumbai (8), Pune (9) and Nagpur (3). The hearing has been adjourned to Monday.