Krishnappa Gowtham announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday. (PTI photo) BENGALURU: Unapologetically honest and flamboyant, a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, Krishnappa Gowtham never blended into the background. He was more than an all-rounder for Karnataka. He was a cricketer who carried the team on his shoulders, a player who gave his all whenever he stepped on the field.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!At 37, Gowtham has called time on a career forged through hard work, perseverance and unshakable self-belief – a journey that has seen him script countless victories for Karnataka and leave an indelible mark on the state’s cricketing fabric.
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On Monday, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium – the place where his dreams were first shaped – Gowtham bid a fitting farewell to the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Surrounded by family and friends, he was felicitated by KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, Secretary Santosh Menon and Vice President Sujith Somasundar, bringing a sense of closure to a busy career.Gowtham made his first-class debut in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh and became a pillar of Karnataka’s success with the red ball. He took 224 wickets in 59 first-class matches while appearing in 68 List A games and 92 T20s. His journey even took him to the international stage where he won India’s ODI cap against Sri Lanka in 2021.However, the journey was anything but smooth. For all his contributions, Gowtham was unceremoniously dropped after the 2022-23 season – ironically the one in which he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 31 scalps. It was a decision that signaled a transition in the spin department, even if that transition is yet to fully take shape.
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However, this was not unfamiliar territory for Gowthama. He had already experienced the sting of being sidelined early in his career, spending three seasons in the wilderness before mounting a thrilling comeback.He received offers from other states, but loyalty, he said, was never negotiable.“I have been a comeback man, I have come back from the brink on more than one occasion and I could have done it again. But if I fought my way back into the Karnataka team, it would be unfair to the youngsters. I started my journey as a proud Karnataka player and that is how I wish to be remembered. Playing for another state hardly crossed my mind,” he said.He signed 14 five-goal streaks and two 10-goal streaks. However, one performance stands out above the rest. In 2019, against Tamil Nadu in Dindigul, Gowtham produced an all-age match-winning performance – scoring 73 runs (51 and 22) and taking 14 wickets (6/110 and 8/60) to single-handedly turn the match in Karnataka’s favour.In the same year, he also left his mark in the shortest format. In the former Karnataka Premier League turned Bellary Tuskers, Gowtham smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 134 off 56 balls and followed it up with an eight-wicket haul – a reminder of the all-round impact he could have on the game.The Indian Premier League has brought with it a different kind of spotlight. Representing five franchises — Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. He became India’s highest-paid uncapped player in 2021 when Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for a staggering Rs 9.25 crore. While he has played 36 IPL matches, Gowtham’s contribution to Karnataka in T20 cricket has been immense. His standout moment came in the final of the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Tamil Nadu when he made a 13-run save in the final to seal a one-run victory.Looking back on his comeback to the Karnataka side during the 2016-17 season, Gowtham described it as a period of deep learning. And he came back – not only reclaiming his place but also earning a call-up to India A that season.Gowtham said a return to the game was a natural next step and he was more than willing to contribute to the KSCA in whatever role they saw fit – just as he did on the field, with sincerity, heart and unwavering commitment.
