'Why do I need RCB? I don't even drink Royal Challenge': DK Shivakumar on buying IPL franchise
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has dismissed speculation about his alleged interest in purchasing the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Addressing the media, Shivakumar, who is also the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, rejected the rumours in characteristically blunt fashion. “I am not a mad man. Why do I need RCB? I don’t even drink Royal Challenge,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
The Congress leader mentioned that although he had been a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association since his youth and received offers to join the franchise’s management, he simply does not have the time to get involved.
“Though I had offers to be part of the management, I don’t have time. My own educational institutions, I have resigned and left it to other members of the family to take care of it,” he added.
The rumours surfaced shortly after reports suggested that Diageo Plc, the British distiller and current owner of RCB through its Indian unit United Spirits Ltd, might be exploring the sale of part or all of the RCB franchise.
However, the rumours were ended in a mail to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), with Mital Sanghvi, the company secretary, informing the regulating body of the Indian Stock Market, "The company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussion. This is for your information and records."
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Congress government has been under fire from the opposition BJP and JD(S) following a tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. The incident claimed eleven lives and has sparked widespread criticism over crowd management failures.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
