Veteran Indian and Karnataka's all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham officially announced his retirement from all formats of the game December 21. The 37-year-old shared the news during a special press conference at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Media Lounge.
Krishnappa Gowtham retires from all forms of cricket
Gowtham’s journey reached its international peak on July 23, 2021, when he earned his solitary ODI cap for India against Sri Lanka. During that match, he claimed the wicket of Minod Bhanuka, which remains his lone international scalp. Beyond the national colors, Gowtham became a household name in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2021, he made headlines by becoming the most expensive uncapped Indian player in history after Chennai Super Kings secured his services for INR 9.25 crore—a record that stood until it was surpassed by Avesh Khan, and more recently by Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer in the 2026 mini-auction.
How long did Krishnappa Gowtham play professional cricket?
Throughout his IPL tenure, the spin-bowling all-rounder proved to be a versatile asset, representing five different franchises: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants. His final appearance on the IPL stage took place in May 2024, playing for Lucknow against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Over the course of 36 matches, Gowtham established himself as a dangerous lower-order hitter, amassing 247 runs at a blistering strike rate of 166.90, while his off-spin accounted for 21 wickets with an economy rate of 8.24.
Gowtham's domestic track record
Beyond his high-profile IPL stints, Krishnappa Gowtham maintained a formidable presence in domestic cricket across all formats. In the first-class arena, he proved his worth as a genuine dual-threat, amassing 737 runs and claiming 116 wickets in 32 matches. His List-A statistics were equally respectable, with 400 runs and 51 wickets over 32 appearances. Even in the shortest format outside the IPL, he remained a consistent performer, contributing 454 runs and 32 wickets in 49 T20 matches.
The pinnacle of Gowtham’s individual dominance occurred during the 2019 Karnataka Premier League while playing for the Bellary Tuskers. In a performance that remains legendary in regional T20 history, the Bangalore-born cricketer delivered a jaw-dropping 'all-rounder’s masterclass." He dismantled the opposition by smashing 134 runs off just 56 balls—reaching his century in a mere 39 deliveries—before returning with the ball to record staggering figures of 8 wickets for 15 runs in the same game.
Gowtham’s skill set frequently placed him on the cusp of further international honors, leading to several appearances for India A. Although he came incredibly close to representing India in T20Is and Tests, he ultimately finished with a single ODI cap.