CSK's former ₹9.25 crore Indian signing announces retirement from all cricket post IPL 2026 Auction

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham announced his retirement from all cricket post the IPL 2026 auction. Gowtham was snapped by CSK for a massive ₹9.25 crore during the 2021 auction.

On Monday, December 22, 2025, he called quits on his professional cricket career. Gowtham was a right-handed batter and a right-arm off-spinner. He played just one international match for India, which was an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2021. Gowtham scored just two runs and returned figures of 1/49 from eight overs.

He represented Karnataka in domestic cricket and began his journey in the 2012 Ranji Trophy against Uttar Pradesh, picking up the wickets of Suresh Raina and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He played 59 first-class matches, picking up 224 wickets at an average of 27.24 with 14 five-wicket hauls. With the bat, he made 1419 runs with a hundred and five half-centuries.

He also played 68 List-A and 92 T20 matches for Karnataka, bagging 96 and 74 wickets each, respectively. Notably, he last played for the state in 2023. He also represented India A several times during his career.

Krishnappa Gowtham's IPL journey

Krishnappa Gowtham began his IPL journey in 2018 with the Rajasthan Royals (R). After two seasons with them, he moved to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2020. While he was picked up by CSK for a massive price for the 2021 season, he surprisingly did not play a single game for them.

He was released the next year and was roped in by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022. After three seasons with LSG, he was released after the 2024 season and did not feature in the 2025 edition.

Overall, Gowtham played 36 matches in the IPL. He picked up 21 wickets at an average of 38.47 and an economy of 8.24 with best figures of 2/12. With the bat, he managed only 247 runs at an average of 13.72 and a strike rate of 166.89 with a best score of an unbeaten 33.

At the time when CSK had roped him in for the massive amount, he was then the most expensive uncapped Indian player in the IPL.

Edited by Rishab Vm