Krishnappa Gowtham
Role: Bowling Allrounder
DOB: 20 October 1988
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: N/A (Unsold in 2026 auction)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 26 | 16 | 6 | 144 | 33* | 14.40 | 95 | 151.58 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 18 | 10 | 6.00 | 13 | 138.46 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 126 | 33* | 25.20 | 80 | 157.50 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 26 | 426 | 605 | 12 | 2/12 | 50.42 | 8.53 | 35.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | 18 | 0 | 0/18 | – | 9.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 12 | 14 | 0 | 0/14 | – | 7.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 24 | 30 | 0 | 0/15 | – | 7.50 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 7 | 120 | 177 | 1 | 1/19 | 177.00 | 8.85 | 120.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 258 | 366 | 11 | 2/12 | 33.27 | 8.51 | 23.45 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Krishnappa Gowtham
Hailing from Karnataka, Krishnappa Gowtham burst onto the IPL scene with a reputation as a feisty off-spinner who could wield a heavy bat down the order. A late bloomer in first-class cricket, Gowtham’s consistent performances in domestic tournaments, particularly the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), where his aggressive style often turned heads, paved his way to the big league. He was initially picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2017 but it was his sensational 2018 season with Rajasthan Royals that truly announced his arrival, showcasing his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs with the ball and explosive cameos with the bat.
Gowtham’s playing style is defined by his all-round capabilities. With the ball, he’s a right-arm off-break bowler known for his variations, often bowling in the powerplay and middle overs, looking to stifle batsmen and pick up wickets. His arm ball and subtle changes in pace make him a tricky customer, especially on pitches offering a hint of turn. With the bat, he’s a fearless striker, preferring to go for the big shots from ball one, making him a dangerous proposition in the death overs or when quick runs are needed. His fielding, too, is often sharp, adding another dimension to his utility.
One of his most memorable IPL moments came in 2018 against Mumbai Indians. Chasing 168, Rajasthan Royals were in a precarious position when Gowtham walked in at number seven. He unleashed an incredible assault, smashing 33 not out off just 11 balls, including two fours and three sixes, to seal a thrilling victory with two balls to spare. This innings perfectly encapsulated his potential as a match-winner and solidified his image as a genuine all-rounder who thrives under pressure, earning him the nickname “Powerplay Gowtham” for his ability to impact games quickly.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Krishnappa Gowtham’s IPL journey has been a fascinating, albeit somewhat inconsistent, ride marked by high auction prices and varying opportunities. His first taste of the IPL came in 2017 when Mumbai Indians bought him at his base price of 10 lakhs, though he didn’t feature in any matches that season.
The 2018 auction saw him become a hot commodity, with Rajasthan Royals securing his services for a whopping 6.2 Crore. This was his breakthrough year, playing 15 matches, scoring 126 runs at a strike rate of 157.50, and picking up 11 wickets. His match-winning 33* off 11 balls against Mumbai Indians was a highlight. He continued with RR in 2019, playing 7 matches but with less impact, managing only 18 runs and 1 wicket.
In 2020, he was traded to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for Jagadeesha Suchith. His stint there was brief, playing just 2 matches and going wicketless. The 2021 auction brought another astonishing turn, as Chennai Super Kings splurged a massive 9.25 Crore for him, making him the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history at that time. Despite the hefty price tag, he played only a single match for CSK throughout the season, a testament to the depth of their squad.
His final IPL appearance came in 2022 when Lucknow Super Giants picked him up for 90 lakhs. Again, opportunities were scarce, and he played just one match, failing to make a significant contribution with either bat or ball. Following the 2022 season, Gowtham went unsold in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 auctions, indicating a likely end to his active IPL career as of 2026.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
From a betting perspective, Krishnappa Gowtham is a high-risk, high-reward player, particularly given his limited recent IPL exposure. His primary strength lies in his potential for explosive hitting in the lower middle order. If a team is chasing a small total or needs quick runs at the death, and Gowtham is given a decent number of balls (say, 10-15), he has the capability to clear the ropes. Bettors might look for “over X runs” markets if he’s unexpectedly promoted or if the match situation perfectly aligns with his aggressive batting style. However, his inconsistency and infrequent batting opportunities make this a rare and speculative bet.
With the ball, Gowtham’s off-spin can be effective on slower, turning tracks, especially against left-hand heavy batting lineups. He has shown an ability to pick up crucial wickets and maintain a decent economy rate in favourable conditions. Betting on “over X wickets” could be considered if the pitch is known to be a turner and he’s bowling against a team with multiple left-handers. His fielding, often sharp, could also be a dark horse for “most catches” markets if available. However, his overall IPL bowling average of 50.42 and economy of 8.53 suggest that he can be expensive and inconsistent, making him a risky proposition for bowling-specific bets in general. Given his current status as unsold, any future betting opportunities would depend on an unlikely return to the league.
Key Records & Milestones
- Became the most expensive uncapped player in the IPL 2018 auction, bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 6.2 Crore.
- Smashed a match-winning 33* off just 11 balls for Rajasthan Royals against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018, showcasing his explosive hitting.
- Set a new record as the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history at the 2021 auction, when Chennai Super Kings acquired him for a staggering INR 9.25 Crore.
- Despite his high price tag in 2021, he played only one match for Chennai Super Kings, making it one of the most significant price-to-playtime disparities in IPL history.
IPL Season Highlights
Krishnappa Gowtham’s most impactful IPL season undoubtedly came in 2018 with the Rajasthan Royals. Playing 15 matches, he proved his all-round value by scoring 126 runs at an incredible strike rate of 157.50 and picking up 11 wickets. His standout performance was the sensational 33* off 11 balls against Mumbai Indians, where he single-handedly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. He also contributed with the ball, taking 2/12 against Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), showcasing his ability to deliver crucial spells.
While his subsequent seasons didn’t reach the same heights, his journey is notable for the sheer financial investment teams made in him. In 2021, despite being bought by Chennai Super Kings for a staggering 9.25 Crore, he featured in only one game, highlighting the intense competition for spots in top-tier IPL squads. His brief appearances in 2022 for Lucknow Super Giants further underscored the challenge of consistently breaking into the playing XI in a league brimming with talent.