"BCCI Needs To Enforce The Sale Of RCB" - Mahesh Bhupathi Believes Ownership Change Needed To Turn Around Bengaluru's Fortunes

Succumbing to a fifth straight defeat of the IPL 2024 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru once again had a tough night, this time against Sunrisers Hyderabad, as they lost a record high-scoring encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday. With RCB bowlers getting ripped apart, Sunrisers Hyderabad piled up 287 for 3, the highest-ever total in the history of the Indian Premier League. Despite valiant efforts from Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis, RCB ultimately fell short by 25 runs, recording their fifth consecutive loss in IPL 2024. After RCB's poor show yesterday, Indian tennis great Mahesh Bhupathi penned down a heartfelt tweet to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), urging them to enforce the sale of RCB to a new owner who can rebuild the franchise the way most of the other successful teams have done so.

Is it time to sell RCB? - Mahesh Bhupathi certainly believes so!

RCB gave a spirited fight to SRH even though they succumbed to their sixth defeat of the IPL 2024 season. Despite the valiant efforts of Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis, RCB lost their fifth consecutive match in IPL 2024, falling short by 25 runs. Following RCB's poor performance in the season so far, Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi posted a heartfelt tweet to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), urging them to sell the RCB franchise to a new owner who can rebuild the team in the way that most of the other successful teams have done.

"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 tweeted.

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

In an incredible batting display, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Abhishek Sharma, and Abdul Samad led SRH to a massive total of 287/3 in just 20 overs. Amidst the chaos, Virat Kohli was caught on camera looking increasingly irritated at how the SRH batters dealt with the RCB bowlers. He kicked the ground, yelled at his teammates, and expressed frustration at how easily boundaries were conceded.

Travis Head 🙌

From playing for RCB ➡️ Scoring 💯 against RCB #RCBvSRH #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema pic.twitter.com/1TDKCVU4Cj

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 15, 2024

As always, Virat Kohli attempted to achieve the impossible. He started hitting boundaries from the first ball and gave Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a great start with his partner Faf du Plessis. They scored 79 runs in the powerplay. Even though they had a good start, the required run rate was still 15 runs per over. Kohli kept trying to hit big shots and went for a leg-spinner Mayank Markande delivery, but lost his balance and missed the googly completely, getting bowled. He was out for 42 off 20 balls.

King Kohli is on the prowl! 🔥#IPLonJioCinema #TATAIPL #RCBvSRH #IPLinKannada | @RCBTweets | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/0D5jHMyX3k

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 15, 2024

After losing half their side for 122, the home team was kept in the fight by Dinesh Karthik, who entertained the local fans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with powerful hits as he blasted 83 off 35 balls, but RCB finished at 262/7 in 20 overs. After their defeat last night, the Bengaluru-based franchise's chances of qualifying for the IPL 2024 playoffs are very slim, as they have to win all their games from now. Languishing at the bottom of the points table, RCB will have five days to process the carnage before returning to action against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on April 21.