• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Dejected Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi has openly urged the BCCI to sell the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a new owner after their tragic run in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. In their recent encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the home franchise suffered a 25-run loss in the mega run fest.

RCB bowlers conceded the highest total of the IPL as SRH posted 287/3 on Monday. In reply, RCB fell short of the target despite pushing full throttle in the chase. Dinesh Karthik hammered 35-ball 83 including seven sixes and five fours but failed to take the side over the line.

Disappointed with RCB's performance in the season with sixth defeat in seven matches, Bhupathi expressed his anger on the franchise and asked for a new owner.

ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Hardik Pandya For Conceding Three Sixes Against MS Dhoni

"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 wrote on X.

RCB's bowling attack has appeared to be the weakest of all in the tournament. In the absence of star pacer Mohammed Siraj, RCB bowlers leaked runs at an economy of over 10 as Travis Head fired 101 off 41 balls studded with eight sixes and nine fours. In the end, Heinrich Klaagen gave the finishing touch to the target with a knock of 67 off 31 balls including seven sixes and two fours.

After the match, RCB captain Faf du Plessis said their plans did not get executed as it was a tough day for bowlers.

"It's tough (to bowl on a day like this), we tried a few things and they weren't quite working. There's no way to hide when your confidence is low. The fast bowlers found it quite difficult out there. Similar to the batting perspective, we need to work on a few areas," he said.

ALSO READ: Travis Head Slams Fourth-fastest Century Of IPL History, Completes It In 39 Balls

"It's important to go away and freshen your mind, it's such a mental game. Sometimes you feel your mind is going to explode. When you get back to the contest you have to give full commitment," the RCB skipper added.

RCB will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 21.