Parthiv: Mumbai focusing on cricket, not on court ruling

Mumbai: Commenting on the Bombay High Court’s ruling to shift all Indian Premier League (IPL) matches out of drought-hit Maharashtra, Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel on Friday said the team is keeping their focus on cricket and not on things beyond their control.

The IPL matches scheduled until April 30 are to be held in the state, but those after that date must be moved out, the court ruled on Wednesday, adding that it could not afford to ignore the plight of people affected by the severe drought.

The decision means that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will relocate 13 IPL matches, including the final of the lucrative Twenty20 tournament. Maharashtra was originally scheduled to host 20 IPL matches in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune but with all three cities facing a severe water crisis at present, Parthiv says his thoughts are on cricket.

“I think it is something which is not in our control. I don’t think we can do anything much about it. We still have three games left here and we would rather put our energy into it,” Parthiv said here on Friday.

“We are gathering bit of momentum now. I don’t think it makes any sense to think about which is not in our hand, so we would rather focus on playing good cricket.”

Parthiv says Mumbai Indians are looking forward to playing against Gujarat Lions at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

Mumbai, after losing to Rising Pune Supergiants in the tournament opener, came back strongly with an all-round show to thrash Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets on Wednesday and the batsman wants more of the same.

“We have played a few games here and also played away games. As a player, we have been taught that not to worry about external things, it is not in our control. We have to focus on things which are in our control. Home and away games doesn’t matter, we have to go out there and win. I am sure Mumbai as a team can play in any conditions,” the 31-year-old said.