IPL a global brand, is deliberately targeted, rues Rajeev Shukla

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajiv Shukla said that the league is a global brand that is "selectively controlled". Referring to the Bombay High Court to shift matches from Maharashtra drought crisis in the state due asked Shukla why people were not to raise questions on IPL Cricket Scheduling in the state during the recently concluded World T20.
IPL matches have been moved out of the Wankhede Stadium and Maharashtra due to drought. PTIIPL matches have been moved out of the Wankhede Stadium and Maharashtra due to drought. PTI
"I will not say that it is a conspiracy, but who comes rattles the IPL. There were 24 games that were held just last month during the World T20 in Maharashtra, but no one raised any problems. Why is IPL targeted being controlled?" Shukla asked. "The IPL has become a global brand. It is transmitted in 182 countries on TV, the highest number following FIFA events. It is easy to bring it down. It always attracts publicity and there are a lot of messages to IPL connection, that's why people think that they should go to the IPL. "
Shukla said they are willing to do what they can to solve the water crisis, but the games shift will be no solution. "We are ready to do what we can. If shifting 3-5 matches to solve the problem? This is a much bigger problem. The solution shifts IPL not," he said.
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Friday moved the Supreme Court against the HC order. "The MCA is the interested party, and they have approached the apex court. We are waiting for the verdict," Shukla said.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur last week had suggested that the Board may consider the IPL abroad in 2017 due to various controversies holds the league plague. Shukla said they are yet to make a decision about it. "Shifting IPL next year is up to Government, which indicates whether it decide to move from India, or not. It is very difficult for sponsors, because they do not know what to do," he said.