Moving IPL out of Maharashtra is not a bad idea if it helps people: Gautam Gambhir

New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir has said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches should be moved out of Maharashtra if it reduces the suffering of the people in the drought-hit State. The Bombay High Court is hearing a PIL that challenged the use of large quantities of water to maintain pitches and ground for the IPL matches despite the people of the state facing grave water crisis due to drought. The litigant has requested the Court to move all the IPL matches out of Maharashtra. “It is not just about IPL. As Indians, it is the responsibility of each and every individual to help people who are affected by the drought. It’s good that Lalit Modi has said that IPL should help people but it is everyone’s responsibility,” Gambhir told ABP News. “And, as for the debate over moving the IPL matches out of Maharashtra, it is not a bad idea because IPL is not bigger than the country. In fact, nothing is bigger than the country. If you have options to play matches in the places where there is ample water available for pitches, why can’t we play there. “If someone is not able to run his home, will he be enjoying the IPL? He will watch IPL only if he is happy. IPL is a tournament that makes people happy. If people are not happy, how will they be enjoying cricket?,” he added. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, however, is not in favour of shifting IPL out. He said that the IPL is providing employment to thousands of people and with employment their life will be even more difficult. “You have to see how many jobs the IPL has been creating. If you stop the game for some time, it will affect the employment in the state. So, people will again be suffering. At least 3000 people are getting employment at the ground due to the IPL and thousands of people are connected with those working at the ground,” Akhtar told ABP News.