Former IPL star Gowtham retires from all forms of cricket at 37

NEW DELHI: Krishnappa Gowtham announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday at the age of 37. The Karnataka all-rounder spent 14 years playing professional cricket in India. He was known for his big hitting down the order and his reliable off-spin bowling. Gowtham made his first-class debut for Karnataka in the 2012 Ranji Trophy season against Uttar Pradesh. He impressed right away by taking the wickets of Suresh Raina and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his first match.

The 2016–17 Ranji Trophy season was a big moment in his career. He took 27 wickets in just eight matches and proved himself as a true all-rounder. In the following season, he added batting strength to his game by scoring his first first-class century against Assam in Mysuru.Gowtham built an awe-inspiring domestic record over the years. He finished his career with more than 320 wickets across first-class and List A cricket. He also played many useful innings with the bat. He remained an important part of Karnataka cricket until 2023. His consistent performances earned him several India A selections. He played against teams like New Zealand A, West Indies A, Australia A and England Lions.

In 2021, he received a call-up to the senior Indian team for the Sri Lanka tour. He played one T20 International in Colombo and managed to take a wicket. In Indian Premier League (IPL), he played for Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. His IPL journey peaked in 2021 when Chennai Super Kings bought him for Rs 9.25 crore. He earned more than Rs 35 crore and produced several match-winning performances during his IPL stint. One of his most unforgettable performances came in the 2019 Karnataka Premier League. Playing for Bellary Tuskers, he smashed 134 runs off just 56 balls, hitting 13 sixes. He then delivered an incredible bowling spell, taking eight wickets while giving away only 15 runs in four overs. It remains one of the finest all-round performances in Indian T20 cricket. With his retirement, Indian domestic cricket bids farewell to a dependable and impactful all-rounder.