Krishnappa Gowtham, the 37-year-old off-spinning all-rounder from Karnataka, has announced his retirement from

competitive cricket, ending a 14-year career that spanned domestic and international levels. Gowtham's career saw him

accumulate 395 wickets and 2,785 runs across all formats, marking a significant contribution to Indian cricket.

Gowtham's first-class career began on November 17, 2012, representing Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. He played 59

first-class matches, taking 224 wickets at an average of 27.24 and scoring 1419 runs. His List A career included 68

matches, where he secured 96 wickets at an average of 29.64 and scored 630 runs. In the T20 format, Gowtham played 92

matches, claiming 74 wickets and scoring 734 runs.

Gowtham’s IPL journey saw him represent five franchises: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Punjab

Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants. He played 36 IPL matches, scoring 247 runs at a strike rate of 166.90 and taking 21

wickets. Notably, in the 2021 auction, Chennai Super Kings acquired him for INR 9.25 crore, a record for an uncapped

Indian player at the time.

Beyond the IPL, Gowtham delivered a notable all-round performance in the 2019 Karnataka Premier League (KPL) for Bellary

Tuskers, scoring a 56-ball 134, including a 39-ball century, and taking 8 for 15 with the ball. He also played a single

ODI for India, against Sri Lanka in Colombo in July 2021, taking 1/49.

In his retirement statement, Gowtham emphasized his pride in representing Karnataka and India, expressing gratitude to

the BCCI and the Karnataka State Cricket Association. He also acknowledged the role of his coaches, selectors,

teammates, and captains. He stated his desire to give back to the game in the future.

Gowtham's decision to retire comes after a career marked by consistent performances in domestic cricket and notable

appearances in the IPL. His contributions as an all-rounder provided balance to the teams he represented, and his

ability to perform under pressure made him a valuable asset. His retirement marks the end of an era for Karnataka

cricket and leaves a void in the all-rounder department.