"Not the way I would want to be treated as a cricketer"- Krishnappa Gowtham makes stunning revelation about PBKS ahead of IPL 2025 auction
Former Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham made a shocking revelation of wanting to never play for them ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 36-year-old is listed at a base price of ₹1 crore for the two-day auction on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah.
Gowtham was part of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) setup over the past three seasons from 2022 to 2024. However, he played only 12 games for the franchise across the three seasons, picking up eight wickets.
Before LSG, Gowtham was part of the PBKS squad for the 2020 IPL season and played only two games.
When asked about the franchise he would least like to play for in the 2025 IPL season by Cricket.com, Gowtham said as quoted by Crictracker:
"I would say Punjab Kings. I'm just being very honest. The reason being, I never had a good experience with them. There are other things, just not about cricket. There are other things as well. It's not the way I would want to be treated as a cricketer."
Gowtham was bought for ₹6.20 crores by PBKS for IPL 2020 with KL Rahul as captain.
The off-spinning all-rounder picked up only the lone wicket that season at an average of 84 and an economy of 10.50 in his two outings.
"I wouldn't give more than 100 percent to Kings XI Punjab" - Krishnappa Gowtham
Krishnappa Gowtham said PBKS would be one franchise he wouldn't give more than 100 percent as he would for other franchises.
The side finished sixth with six wins in 14 matches during his lone stint in 2020, missing the playoffs for a then-sixth consecutive season.
"I think there's a lot more. What I wear on my sleeve is like when I play for a team. It's always I give 100 percent more than 100 percent on the field. I never keep anything back. But, I wouldn't give more than 100 percent to Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) if they pick me," said Gowtham.
Before PBKS, Gowtham was also part of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2018 and 2019 and the Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2017.
While he did not play a single game for MI, the veteran all-rounder enjoyed great success for RR in 2018. Gowtham picked up 11 wickets at an average of 28.36 and an economy of 7.80 in 15 matches.
However, he endured a torrid season for RR in 2019, picking up only one wicket in seven matches at a dismal average of 166. Gowtham was also part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) title-winning squad in 2021 despite not playing a single game.