Royal Challengers CEO Charu Sharma 'steps down'

New Delhi:

The Royal Challengers poor performance in the DLF Indian Premier League has claimed its first casualty in the form of the team's CEO Charu Sharma. Charu, reportedly, has stepped down for personal reasons but the grapevine is that team's owner Vijay Mallya has sacked him. Mallya was furious after his side lost five of the seven matches played. Royal Challengers are the second most expensive team in the DLF IPL and are currently placed seventh in the points table of the eight-team event.

Former Test player Brijesh Patel will replace Charu Sharma as CEO of the beleaguered Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Prakash Mirpuri, a spokesman with the company that owns the Bangalore franchise of the IPL confirmed that Sharma had 'stepped down', paving way for Patel.

"Charu Sharma has stepped down from the post due to personal reason and Brijesh Patel would now take over the reins. Patel would be in Kolkata on Wednesday for the team's match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday," Mirpuri said.

Speculations are being made over coach Venkatesh Prasad's fate as well whose job too is reportedly on the line. However, the team made no official statement as when asked if Prasad too was on his way out after the team's string of defeats in the IPL, Mirpuri said, "We are not aware of any such development."

(With PTI inputs)