gujarat lions
Suresh Raina-led Gujarat Lions play two home matches this season in Kanpur. Pictured: Suresh Raina of Gujarat Lions celebrates his half century during an IPL match between Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on April 21.IANS

There is a doubt over the fate of two IPL 2016 matches scheduled to be held in Kanpur in May. A local NGO filed a petition before the civil judge (junior division) on Friday, calling for shifting of the matches from Uttar Pradesh due to acute water crisis in the region.

Indian Premier League matches this season are facing a lot of challenges to undergo smoothly under the face of the drought situation across many parts of the country. It was Maharashtra first and then Jaipur. 

"If IPL matches are allowed in the city hundreds of litres of water would be required to prepare the pitches. Which is wrong. So we've requested the matches not be allowed keeping in mind the problem," Anita Dua of NGO Lakshya, who was behind the petition, was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

Indian Premier League newcomers Gujarat Lions play two of their home matches -- against Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians -- on May 19 and May 21, respectively, at the Greenpark Stadium in the city.

The hearing over the matter will take place on Monday, April 25 -- the day the Supreme Court will be hearing the Mumbai Cricket Association's plea to stay the IPL 2016 matches as scheduled in Maharashtra even after April 30.