Kolkata: Triggering a controversy, Charu Sharma today virtually said he was sacked as CEO of the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League while team owner Vijay Mallya ruled out similar treatment for bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad.

A day after the team said in a statement that former Test player Brijesh Patel would take over as the new CEO after Sharma had "stepped down" owing to "personal reasons", Sharma made it clear that he was actually shown the door.

"The company has every right to hire and fire personnel. Being a national level sportsman and being deeply involved with the world of sports for many decades, the last thought on my mind would have been to part ways with the team," Sharma said in a statement today.

Mallya, meanwhile, chose to remain mum on Sharma's exit but issued a statement to scotch rumours about Prasad's fate. The liquor baron claimed that he chose Patel as CEO as he was an accomplished cricketer of Karnataka and had deep understanding of local conditions.

"The addition of Patel to lead the management of Royal Challengers will strengthen the team considerably and also have a positive influence on the selection and future development of local Karnataka cricketers who aspired to play in the IPL in future," he said.
Source : PTI