Krishnappa Gowtham is Hopeful of a Better Future

Bowling all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham made his presence felt in the recently-concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he impressed with both bat and the ball.

The most defining knock from Gowtham came against Mumbai Indians (MI) in a group match early on in the tournament. He came out to the crease with Rajasthan Royals (RR) still requiring 43 to win off 17.

The promising prospect at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium saw fans cheering for him as he smashed an unbeaten 33 of just 11 deliveries which guided Rajasthan to a memorable victory.

Gowtham even refused a single at one point in the final over. Gowtham conceded that he is never short of self-belief and it is his nature.

“It’s in my nature,” he smiles. “I’ve been the same since my junior days. I’ve never needed someone to pump me up. That day, I thought if I hit a couple of big ones, we could definitely pull it off,” Sportstar quotes Gowtham as saying.

This was the first time Gowtham got the opportunity to be a part of the playing XI.

Last year, he warmed the benches throughout the season for the Indians. However this year he got his chances and didn’t disappoint. Though the tally of 126 runs and 11 wickets doesn’t seem extraordinary.

However, there is no denying the fact that he made a certain impact. He bowled in the powerplay and also came good with the bat. Gowtham scored his runs at a strike rate of over 200.

“I’ve got better as a player [this IPL]. My confidence has grown. I believe that on my day I can do wonders.” With his impressive showing in the IPL, Gowtham will be oozing with confidence into India A’s tri-series also involving Windies- A and England Lions. It is slated to begin in England from next week. “It’s not about my own numbers. I want to help the team win games,” he says.

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The off-spinning all-rounder is now reviving his career. After playing first three first-class games in 2012 he went off the radar. He returned to the Karnataka side in 2016.

Moreover, Gowtham made an impressive return bagging 65 first-class and 27 List A wickets. His performances eventually earned him a spot in the India A side.

“I have changed physically and mentally (since 2012). My fitness has improved. And the way I think is a complete change from before. There are no doubts when I enter the field now.” This was however not the situation earlier,” Gowtham asserted.

“When you’re not doing well and you’re not getting picked for anything, you get negative thoughts,” he says. “Six years back, I wondered if I should continue playing cricket. When you’re not getting anything financially, you start doubting yourself. But my parents were most supportive. They said, ‘You just go and play.’ To see them happy now…I enjoy that more than my own success,” he added.

Krishnappa Gowtham admits that IPL has given him fame:

Gowtham admitted the fact it is IPL which has given him fame and adulations.

“When you walk around, people notice you now. But this is what you play for, isn’t it? This is what you live for.” Gowtham stated who was bought for a whopping INR 6 crores by Royals.

Meanwhile, Mumbai also signed him for INR 2 crore last year but made him warm the benches for the full length of the tournament.

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“If you get carried away by all that, you must remember that everything can come crashing down with one bad game. You have to enjoy the moment. But you don’t have to fly. Keep your feet on the ground. Just don’t fake anything,” he concluded.