Krishnappa Gowtham has officially announced his retirement from professional cricket, bringing the curtains down on a career that spanned domestic cricket, the Indian Premier League and a brief stint at the international level.
The 37-year-old made the announcement on Monday during a press conference at the KSCA Media Lounge, in the presence of Karnataka State Cricket Association officials, including president Venkatesh Prasad, vice-president Sujith Somasundar and secretary Santosh Menon.
Gowtham represented India on one occasion, featuring in an ODI against Sri Lanka on July 23, 2021. Though his international career was short-lived, he made an impact by picking up his lone wicket in that match, dismissing Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Minod Bhanuka.
While further opportunities did not follow, Gowtham remained a prominent figure on the domestic and franchise circuit.
The spin-bowling all-rounder rose to national prominence during the IPL 2021 auction, where Chennai Super Kings signed him for INR 9.25 crore, making him the most expensive uncapped Indian player at the time. That record later changed hands in subsequent seasons, but the moment underlined Gowtham's growing reputation as a match-winning all-rounder. Over the years, he turned out for several IPL franchises, including Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. His final IPL appearance came in May 2024, when he represented Lucknow Super Giants against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Across 36 IPL matches, Gowtham scored 247 runs at a brisk strike rate of 166.90 and picked up 21 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 8.24. His contributions extended well beyond the IPL. In first-class cricket, he featured in 32 matches, scoring 737 runs and claiming 116 wickets. His List A career saw him register 400 runs and 51 wickets from 32 games, while in T20s he accumulated 454 runs and took 32 wickets across 49 matches.
One of the most remarkable chapters of Gowtham's career came during the 2019 Karnataka Premier League, when playing for Bellary Tuskers, he produced a sensational all-round performance. He smashed 134 off just 56 balls, including a 39-ball hundred, before following it up with extraordinary bowling figures of 8 for 15 in the same match.
A regular for India A and often in the fringes of national selection, Gowtham carved out a career defined by resilience, competitiveness and the ability to rise on big occasions. As he steps away from the game, he leaves behind the legacy of a cricketer who consistently punched above his weight at the highest levels of domestic and franchise cricket.
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