Mahesh Bhupathi's 'years of hard work' wasted by wife Lara Dutta in Mumbai rain

Courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: Such is the plight of Mumbaikars this rainy season that even sports souveniers are not spared in their bid to stay dry. On Tuesday, doubles legend Mahesh Bhupathi found himself complaining to wife Lara Dutta for using towels from major tournaments to stop rain water from entering their house.

Dutta tweeted a photo where Bhupathi’s Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open and French Open towels were kept on the floor to check the flow of water.

She wrote, Putting our Wimbledon,US Open, Aus Open &French Open towels to good use!@Maheshbhupathi #MumbaiRain.Stay safe & indoors if possible folks!”

Putting our Wimbledon,US Open, Aus Open &French Open towels to good use!@Maheshbhupathi #MumbaiRain.Stay safe & indoors if possible folks! pic.twitter.com/uEV30SPfT5 — Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@LaraDutta) August 29, 2017

But the 12-time Grand Slam champion was certainly not amused, and quickly replied, "Are u kidding me !!!! That's years of hard work".

Are u kidding me !!!! That's years of hard work https://t.co/3ihImzbOWa — Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) August 29, 2017

Twiterratis were, however, quick to join the husband-wife banter. Here are some notable comments:

Perfect example of ghar me raj humesa sirf biwi ka chalta he. Hote honge US, French Open & Wimbledon champ lekin ghar me sirf ek patti! — AB Marc (@AyaanMarc) August 29, 2017

I thought this use of towel was restricted only to middle class people — Siddharth Patni (@aageSeLeftLelo) August 29, 2017

French towels supporting French Windows pic.twitter.com/frqN9OiDv7 — bijaymishra (@bijaymishra) August 29, 2017

Lost sensibility. This is not in the good taste absolutely, Ms. LD. Mr. Mahesh is right. It's pathetic to use those towels this way. — PRATAP CH. BHANJA (@pratapbhanja) August 29, 2017

this is not good madam Bhupati, please remove them and put your branded clothes there, these towels worth way more than those cloths

— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Aditya91Dev) August 29, 2017

Torrential rain accompanied by strong winds pummelled Mumbai today, disrupting rail, road and air services, uprooting trees, swamping homes, and bringing the megapolis to its knees.

People's woes were compounded by the high tide that prevented natural drainage of water into the sea.

Thousands of vehicles were stranded on arterial roads in Lower Parel, Dadar, Kurla, Andheri, Khar West, Ghatkopar, Sion and Hindmata areas that were under knee to waist deep water for several hours, many having broken down.

In 2006, Bhupati became the first Indian to win a Grand Slam title, by capturing the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Rika Hiraki of Japan.

In a celebrated career, Bhupathi won the Australian Open twice (both mixed doubles), French Open four times (two men's and two mixed doubles), Wimbledon thrice (two mixed and one men's doubles) and the US Open also thrice (two mixed and one men's doubles).

Post-retirement, he founded International Premier Tennis League. He is currently India's non-playing Davis Cup captain.