mumbai indians
The first IPL 2016 match between Mumbai Indians and RPS took place successfully at Wankhede. Pictured: Rising Pune Supergiants batsman Faf du Plessis in action during the first match of IPL 2016 between Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants at Wankhede Stadium in MumbaiIANS

IPL Chief Operating Officer Ratnakar Shetty has asked three teams if they are ready to play their roles in providing drinking water to the drought-affected areas in Maharashtra, the CNN-IBN reported Wednesday. The report has also stated that the Mumbai Indians are the only team, who have agreed to do so, in principle.

The Bombay High Court said Tuesday that the BCCI are expected to provide drinking water to the areas in Maharashtra if they plan to go ahead in hosting the remaining set of IPL 2016 matches in Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. Shetty shot a letter instantly to the Mumbai Indians, Rising Pune Supergiants and Kings XI Punjab, asking if they will be willing to lend a helping hand.

Shetty also mentioned that the confirmation should be sent by the teams by Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur mentioned that only treated sewage water, supplied by the Royal Western India Turf Club, would be used to maintain the cricket pitches in Maharahstra during the duration of IPL 2016.

"We have said it clearly in the court that we are in no way using water that is meant for drinking or is taken from a tanker, and if we are using sewage-treated water, then it should not affect anybody," Thakur said.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association also said Tuesday that they would be using treated sewage water during the IPL 2016 matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. They also said setting up a SWT (sewage treatment plant) at the stadium, reportedly costing Rs. 85 lakh, only recently, for this particular reason.