IPL 2024: Mahesh Bhupathi calls for RCB's sale to a new owner: 'Tragic'

As RCB neared yet another loss in IPL 2024 on Monday, tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi called for the franchise to be sold to a new owner and urged the BCCI to enforce the sale of the side.

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season went from bad to worse for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Monday after they succumbed to their sixth loss of the season, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 25 runs at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

As the team neared yet another defeat on Monday night, tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi called for the franchise to be sold to a new owner and urged the BCCI to enforce the sale of the side.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the 49-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion called for RCB to be sold to owners who, he felt, would care to build a sports franchise like some of the other teams in the league.

"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 the social media platform.

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

"Very correctly said. Right from the start when Mallya started the franchise, it has been for brand image and they have been recruiting high ticket batsmen with little or no support in the bowling department. The franchise is happy with the endorsement windfall the stars bring in," one user said.

"Ummm.. the same owners built a team which is currently holding a trophy!" another user said.

RCB are currently at the 10th place on the points table with one win in seven matches and face Kolkata Knight Riders next at the Eden Gardens on March 21.