In the end, RCB lost by 25 runs, their fifth straight loss in the IPL 2024, despite heroic attempts from Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis. The legendary Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi wrote the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) a passionate letter following the team’s dismal performance, pleading with them to compel the sale of RCB to a new owner who can revitalise the team.
The problems facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were evident on Monday, April 15, when they played Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In their 20 overs against SRH, RCB surrendered the most runs ever in IPL history.
“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,” Bhupathi said on X, which used to be known as
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
Individuals are not the only focus of team sports. Michael Vaughan
Following remarks made by former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan regarding the RCB’s failure to convert their star power into team success, Bhupathi made his own remarks. Vaughan emphasised, saying, “I admire that the RCB has never won because it shows me that team sports are about more than just individuals. It has been demonstrated at the RCB that you cannot guarantee victory by assembling a team with the greatest individual names available, as he stated on The Ranveer Show on YouTube.
“AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf are some of the amazing players they signed. But it informs you that unless you get the entire team working together, understanding each role, and recognising different roles for different people, you might need to somewhat rearrange your team in order to make room for someone else to succeed in a different capacity. The Englishman went on, “I don’t see the RCBs doing that.”
Also read: In RCB vs. SRH, who hit more sixes determined the winner rather than a contest between batsmen: Aaron Finch
The Bengaluru-based team’s chances of making the playoffs are dwindling following their loss last night, so they must immediately regroup and consider their options in order to turn around their situation. All of their remaining games are now virtual elimination games.