'BCCI needs to enforce sale of RCB…' - Mahesh Bhupathi slams RCB owners after latest defeat in IPL 2024

RCB are at the bottom of the points table and virtually out of playoffs contention in IPL 2024.

Former Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi has called for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise to be sold to new owners after RCB fell to their fifth straight defeat in IPL 2024, with the latest coming against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday night in a run-fest.

Indian tennis legend Bhupathi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration with RCB’s management and their inability to build a consistent team. The Faf du Plessis-led side suffered a 25-run defeat against SRH, on a night several records were rewritten.

“For the sake of the Sport, the IPL, the fans, and even the players, I think BCCI needs to enforce the Sale of RCB to a New owner who will care to build a sports franchise the way most of the other teams have done so. #tragic,” Bhupathi posted when RCB was struggling with three wickets down while chasing SRH’s record total of 287/3.

For the sake of the Sport , the IPL, the fans and even the players i think BCCI needs to enforce the Sale of RCB to a New owner who will care to build a sports franchise the way most of the other teams have done so. #tragic

— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) April 15, 2024

The match was a historic one, with SRH breaking their own record for the highest IPL total with a sensational 287/3. This total is also the second-highest in T20 cricket history, only behind Nepal’s 314/3 against Mongolia in 2023. SRH had previously set the IPL record of 277/3 against Mumbai Indians in a match that recorded the highest T20 aggregate and most sixes.

RCB, led by Faf du Plessis, put up a valiant chase, scoring 262/7, just one run behind their own highest IPL total of 263/5, set in 2013 when Chris Gayle smashed an unbeaten 175. However, their efforts fell short, with the team going down by 25 runs.

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Bhupathi has been a vocal critic of RCB’s management in the past. The 48-year-old, who won 12 Grand Slam doubles titles and an Olympic bronze medal during his illustrious career, has often expressed his disappointment with the team’s inability to build a consistent squad despite boasting some of the biggest names in cricket.

RCB, owned by United Spirits Limited, has been a part of the IPL since its inception in 2008 but are yet to win the coveted trophy. Their best performance in the competition has come as a runners-up, which they achieved in 2009, 2011, and 2016.

While Bhupathi’s comments may seem harsh, they highlight the growing frustration among RCB’s fanbase, who have been yearning for success for over a decade

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