IPL 2024: Chinnaswamy likely to remain unaffected by Bengaluru water crisis

M Chinnaswamy Stadium, IPL. (Photo Source – Twitter/X)

The upcoming seventeenth installment of the globally-renowned Indian Premier League is nearing its commencement in a few days’ time. Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka and the home to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is currently facing an issue with a severe water crisis.

Meanwhile, there have been speculations over the water shortage proving to be an obstacle for ground maintenance and hosting games at the city’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Notably, the iconic venue is owned and managed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and will host the home games played by the star-studded franchise.

The water crisis has raised concerns about the preparation of pitches for IPL matches, as it requires a significant amount of water. With RCBscheduled to play their first home game against Punjab Kings on March 25, KSCA faces the daunting task of ensuring adequate water supply for the matches while also addressing the city’s broader water needs.

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Water shortage in Bengaluru and its impact on IPL fixtures

The city’s water crisis has been growing for some time now due to poor rainfall, leading to a significant increase in the demand for water tankers across Bengaluru. Some reports indicate that the charges for a water tanker have doubled, and are now charging up to INR 1,800 per refill, which usually ranges under INR 800.

Despite assurances from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) that there is enough supply to meet the demand for the next five months, there has been panic among the residents.

The state association, in the same vein, may soon call for a brainstorming gathering to find possible impacts and solutions regarding the water conditions in the city. However, it is also important to note that the possibilities of water crisis causing an impact seems unlikely, as the association uses non-portable water for ground and pitch maintenance. Hence, there might less to zero inconvenience in hosting IPL fixtures at the venue.

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The uncertainty also surrounds the second half of the IPL 2024 schedule, as the announcement of dates for the Lok Sabha General Elections by the Election Commission of India (ECI), further complicates the scenario.