Former India all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham has announced his retirement from all formats of professional cricket at a special press conference held at the KSCA Media Lounge. The event was graced by Karnataka State Cricket Association president Venkatesh Prasad, vice-president Sujith Somasundar, and secretary Santosh Menon.
Gowtham played once for India at the international level, making his lone ODI appearance against Sri Lanka on July 23, 2021. He achieved his only international wicket in that match, dismissing wicketkeeper Minod Bhanuka.
His rise to fame came during the Indian Premier League (IPL) when he became the most expensive uncapped Indian player at the IPL 2021 auction, being acquired by Chennai Super Kings for INR 9.25 crore. This record was later eclipsed, first by Avesh Khan and more recently by Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer at the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Throughout his IPL career, Gowtham has represented Mumbai Inddigihunt, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants. His final appearance in the league took place in May 2024, where he played for Lucknow Super Giants against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In total, Gowtham featured in 36 IPL matches, scoring 247 runs at a strike rate of 166.90, while also taking 21 wickets at an economy rate of 8.24. In domestic cricket, he amassed 737 runs and 116 wickets from 32 first-class games. In List A cricket, he scored 400 runs and claimed 51 wickets in 32 matches, while his T20 career saw him accumulate 454 runs and take 32 wickets across 49 appearances.
A defining moment of Gowtham’s career occurred during the 2019 Karnataka Premier League while playing for Bellary Tuskers. In a standout all-round performance, he scored 134 runs off just 56 balls—highlighted by a 39-ball century—and delivered remarkable bowling figures of 8 for 15 in the same match.
Additionally, Gowtham represented India A on multiple occasions and came close to earning more international caps in other formats. Known for his resilience and fierce competitiveness, he built a career characterized by grit and determination, leaving behind a legacy as a cricketer who consistently excelled against top-tier competition.