IPL 2024: Mahesh Bhupathi Feels BCCI Need to Enforce Sale of RCB

Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi has said Royal Challengers Bengaluru "needs to be sold to a new owner who will care to build a sports franchise" after the Bengaluru-based team suffered their sixth loss in the ongoing IPL 2024.

RCB were handed their fifth successive loss by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday (April 15). SRH posted the highest-ever total of 287 and restricted the hosts to 262 to seal a 25-run win.

The Bengaluru-based side, which failed to win a title in the past 16 years, entered season 17 with the weakest bowling unit and that's cost the team dearly as the team has failed to restrict the opposition to a low score.

The management had a mediocre showing at the auction after releasing three of their first choice bowlers, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga and Josh Hazlewood during the retention window.

Following their latest defeat, former doubles world number 1 Bhupathi echoed the sentiments of many disappointed fans, stating that RCB needs to be sold for the sake of the sport, the league, the fans and even the players.

"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," the tennis legend posted on X with the hash tag tragic.

Several fans and experts also have questioned in what direction the franchise is headed as some even said the management plans only for RCB Unbox events, and has zero interest about competing in the league.

RCB, which is owned by United Spirits Limited, has gone very close to lifting the title in three seasons, but fell in the final hurdle in the 2009, 2011 and 2016 seasons.

The franchise, however, recently won its first title when Smriti Mandhana-led RCB women's team were crowned champions in the second season of the Women's Premier League last month.