Krishnappa Gowtham on Monday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. (PTI Photo)

BENGALURU: Unapologetically honest and flamboyant, a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve, Krishnappa Gowtham was never one to blend into the background. For Karnataka, he was more than just an all-rounder. He was a cricketer who carried the team on his shoulders, one who gave his all every single time he walked onto the field.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!At 37, Gowtham has called time on a career forged through hard work, perseverance and an unshakeable belief in himself — a journey that saw him script countless victories for Karnataka and leave an indelible mark on the state’s cricketing fabric.

On Monday, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — the venue where his dreams first took shape — Gowtham was accorded a fitting farewell by the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Surrounded by family and friends, he was honoured by KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, secretary Santosh Menon and vice-president Sujith Somasundar, bringing a sense of closure to an eventful career.Gowtham made his first-class debut in 2012 against Uttar Pradesh and went on to become a pillar of Karnataka’s red-ball success. Across 59 first-class matches, he claimed 224 wickets, while also featuring in 68 List A games and 92 T20s. His journey even took him to the international stage, earning an India ODI cap against Sri Lanka in 2021.Yet, the road was anything but smooth. For all his contributions, Gowtham was unceremoniously dropped after the 2022-23 season — ironically one in which he finished as the joint highest wicket-taker with 31 scalps. It was a decision that hinted at a transition in the spin department, though that transition is yet to fully take shape.

This, however, was not unfamiliar territory for Gowtham. Early in his career, he had already experienced the sting of being sidelined, spending three seasons in the wilderness before mounting a stirring comeback.Offers from other states did come his way, but loyalty, he said, was never up for negotiation.“I have been a man of comebacks, returning from the brink on more than one occasion, and I could have done so again. But had I fought my way back into the Karnataka team, it would have been unfair to the youngsters. I began my journey as a proud Karnataka player, and that is how I wish to be remembered. Playing for another state barely crossed my mind — and certainly never my heart,” he said.He signed off with 14 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls. One performance, however, stands out above the rest. In 2019, against Tamil Nadu in Dindigul, Gowtham produced a match-winning display for the ages — scoring 73 runs (51 and 22) and claiming 14 wickets (6/110 and 8/60) to single-handedly turn the contest in Karnataka’s favour.That same year, he left a mark in the shortest format, too. In the erstwhile Karnataka Premier League, turning out for Bellary Tuskers, Gowtham smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 134 off 56 balls and followed it up with an eight-wicket haul — a reminder of the all-round impact he could have on a game.The Indian Premier League brought with it a different kind of spotlight. Representing five franchises — Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. In 2021, he became the highest-paid uncapped Indian player when Chennai Super Kings snapped him up for a staggering Rs 9.25 crore. While he played 36 IPL matches, Gowtham’s contribution to Karnataka in T20 cricket was immense. His standout moment came in the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Tamil Nadu, when he defended 13 runs in the final over to seal a one-run victory.Looking back at his comeback into the Karnataka side during the 2016-17 season, Gowtham described it as a period of deep learning. And come back he did — not just reclaiming his place, but earning an India A call-up that season as well.Giving back to the game, Gowtham said, is the natural next step, and he is more than willing to contribute to the KSCA in any role they see fit — just as he did on the field, with honesty, heart and unwavering commitment.

As the Test & ODI captain comes to terms with his recent axing from the World Cup squad, questions swirl around whether it was really necessary to induct him in an already-strong lineup. Perhaps, the whole unsavoury saga could have been avoided…Five months ago, the world was a beautiful place for Shubman Gill. All that he touched turned into gold. He scored 754 runs in the Test series against England, was pitchforked to the Test and ODI captaincy and was even made vice-captain in the T20 format.At the end of the year, though, the stylish 26-year-old is walking a lonely path. T20s are the flavour of the season but Gill, who has been projected as the new pin-up face of Indian cricket, will suddenly be out of work during a World Cup at home that’s going to rule the head and heart of cricket fans over the next couple of months.

After suffering a serious neck strain during the South Africa Test series, Gill ran against time to be fit for the T20I leg of the series. He might have got the hint that he needed to prove himself in T20Is all over again to hold on to his India place. But scores of 4, 0 and 28 in the first three games, followed by a toe injury, finished his hopes of hanging on to his spot. Rejection in T20Is is nothing new to Gill — despite being one of the leading IPL players, he was kept out of the 2024 T20 World Cup that India went on to win. It was a major disappointment and he may have been looking to make amends since.As Gill tries to deal with this recent humiliation, it begs the question — was it really necessary to try and fit him into a system that was not broken in the first place? Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were batting like a dream as openers in T20Is. Also, one need not be a cricket analyst to understand that Yashasvi Jaiswal is a more explosive T20 batter than Gill. Still, the Indian cricket hierarchy felt it was necessary to find a new all-format leadership face and that’s why Gill was not only brought back but given the vice-captaincy too.

WV Raman, a former India batter who coached the women’s team, feels that is where the decision-makers missed a trick. “Gill hasn’t been dropped for any significant fault of his. Just that the players around him are more explosive than him, a quality that is essential in modern-day T20 cricket. In an imaginary scenario, it is almost like choosing K Srikkanth over Sunil Gavaskar for the T20 format, knowing full well who the better batter in the format actually could be. That’s why I was wondering why it was necessary to make him the T20 vice-captain at that stage, when so many others fit the T20 bill so well,” Raman told TOI.Prior to the England Tests, Gill had worked on his batting technique, whereby his bat was coming down a lot straighter than it was doing during the Australia series or before that. There’s a school of thought that believes the tweak in technique restricted him a little while playing the kind of horizontal bat shots required in T20Is. While Gill became a much tighter Test batter, as we saw in England, his range of shots in T20 cricket took a hit. The fact that Gill’s career strike-rate of 138.59 in T20Is has come down to 127.65 in the last 10 T20Is adds credence to the theory.But Raman doesn’t buy the idea completely. “Rohit Sharma plays with a straight bat, but does that restrict his hitting? Sometimes a straight bat opens up more scoring options even in T20 cricket. It is more about who you are as a player and we have to admit that some of the others around him are naturally more explosive,” he said.

Where does that leave Gill the player and captain in the other two formats? If sources are to be believed, the star right-hander wasn’t told until just before the selection meeting that he would be dropped. For a player of his stature, that’s probably not the best since Gill will be working with the same coaching staff and selection committee in the days to come. After showing so much faith, this sudden snub for a talent like Gill may well bring in a sense of insecurity for the player. He is well within his right to ask why captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose batting average is 13.62 in 2025, is getting a look-in ahead of him.Raman feels “what’s done is done” and it is crucial that Gill tries to insulate himself from the toxicity that is swirling around him. “If I was his coach, I would have told him that there is no place for emotion in a player’s life. It is a decision that has been taken with the team composition in mind and Gill should not think for a second that he has become a lesser player,” Raman said.It’s for Gill to understand that there’s life beyond the glitter of T20 cricket and he can still be India’s best batter in the other two formats.

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon of Australia (Getty Images)

Australia will head into the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground without captain Pat Cummins and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, opting to manage workloads and injuries after securing an unassailable Ashes lead over England.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Cricket Australia confirmed on Tuesday that Cummins has been rested as part of an ongoing management plan, while Lyon will undergo surgery on a torn right hamstring, sidelining him for an extended period. Todd Murphy and Jhye Richardson have been added to a 15-man squad for the fourth Test, which begins on Friday.

Australia have already retained the Ashes with dominant victories — eight-wicket wins in Perth and Brisbane, followed by an 82-run triumph in Adelaide to take a 3-0 series lead. With the series safely in hand, selectors have chosen caution over continuity for the high-profile Boxing Day clash.Cummins, who returned in Adelaide after missing Tests since July due to lower back issues, claimed six wickets in the match. However, the fast bowler will now sit out in Melbourne and could also be under a cloud for the Sydney Test, given Australia’s focus on managing his long-term fitness.

Steve Smith will resume captaincy after missing the Adelaide Test with vertigo symptoms. Smith had previously led the side in Cummins’ absence earlier in the series.Lyon’s absence is a significant blow. The 38-year-old injured his right hamstring while diving to save a boundary on day five in Adelaide and hobbled off the field. Despite the injury, he claimed his 564th Test wicket in the match, moving past Glenn McGrath into sixth place on the all-time Test bowling list.Murphy is in line for a dream home Test debut, having played all seven of his previous Tests overseas. The Victorian spinner edged out Matt Kuhnemann and Corey Rocchiccioli for the spot and last featured for Australia in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Richardson, meanwhile, is eyeing a return to Test cricket after a four-year absence following three shoulder surgeries.Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc are set to spearhead the pace attack again after pulling up well from Adelaide, with Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett also in contention.Australia squad for fourth Test:

Sam Curran, part of the Desert Vipers in the ILT20, has been pivotal in the team’s qualification for the playoffs. (Image: Creimas)

In the ongoing fourth season of the ILT20, where confidence and clarity have defined the Desert Vipers’ charge to the playoffs, few players embody that momentum better than Sam Curran. The England all-rounder has enjoyed a stellar run so far, topping the run charts for the Vipers while contributing crucial wickets as the franchise have picked seven wins in nine matches and are into the playoffs.Vipers started the season with six wins in a row and have looked one of the most settled sides this ILT20 season — a balance Curran credits to continuity, conditions and collective performances.

Beyond the immediate success in the UAE, the timing of Curran’s form is significant. With the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka approaching in February–March, the 27-year-old is firmly in the spotlight.In this wide-ranging conversation, Curran reflects on form, franchise cricket, pressure, evolution, and what continues to drive him at this stage of his career.​​Excerpts:​Q. How is UAE and the ILT20 Season 4 treating you?Sam Curran: All has been good. We’ve had a good start to the tournament so the team is in a good place. Six out of seven wins, sitting at the top of the table. Looking forward to the next few games to hopefully finish the season well.Q. Can you talk about what you guys are doing well? I mean it’s been a brilliant start you’re already through to the playoffs.Sam Curran: Yeah I think we’ve had a nice mix of everyone performing at different times. We’ve kept six or seven players from last season so lots of guys who know the conditions and I guess same coaching staff and things like that so we’ve managed to put in some good wins and win some close games as well which always helps.

Sam Curran is the leading run-scorer this ILT20 season with 260 runs. (Image: Creimas)

Q. You’ve also been one of the top performers this season. 260 runs – top-scorer – and seven wickets. Personally, what are you doing well?Sam Curran: I guess it’s just a tournament I enjoy playing and I guess the conditions and the grounds we play at I really enjoy so I’m really just enjoying the environment, enjoying the season and most importantly I’m really hoping we can win the trophy this year.Q. UAE is a very unique place to go and play. The pitches are slower, there’s evening dew, the schedules are packed. I mean that’s true for all T20 leagues but how is ILT20 any different compared to the other franchise leagues that you’ve played?Sam Curran: I think the big difference is obviously having nine international players well. Being able to have a lot of players from around the world that’s a big difference and I guess the conditions with Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi are all slightly different so that makes it unique, no flying, no travel in terms of other franchise tournaments which is quite nice.We’re able to settle into one hotel and enjoy the team environment so I guess those are the advantages of the ILT20.Q. You were the most expensive overseas signing in the IPL at one point. That record now sits with Cameron Green after this mini-auction. Does that number itself come with baggage going into a season?Sam Curran: Yes and no. I think it’s not the player’s fault that they go for that kind of price. They obviously value the player. Cameron Green’s a fantastic player so I’m sure he will have a great season but yeah the IPL is just getting bigger and bigger so I guess every year each record is just going to keep getting broken. It comes with its pressures but at the same time I guess as a player you can have that mindset of if you go for a big price there’s a reason why. You’re playing well and obviously the team really wants you so it’s a good feeling.Q. And now you’re being traded to another team, how does that compare. In terms of your own expectations and what you think the world sees of you as a cricketer?Sam Curran: Yeah I’m really looking forward to the new challenge. Obviously the trade happened with Chennai (Chennai Super Kings) and Rajasthan (Rajasthan Royals) so I guess the chats that I had is looking forward to the opportunity. I know Kumar Sangakkara really well, the head coach at Rajasthan, so I had some nice conversations with him and same with Chennai as well so I guess hopefully I’ll play a big part at Rajasthan. Unfortunately last year Chennai I didn’t play too many games so hoping for a nice full season and hopefully a successful one for Rajasthan.

Q. You’ve been around a lot of elite cricketers, you’re a family of cricketers basically. At this stage of your career what still excites you to get up and keep playing cricket?Sam Curran: I guess it’s just experiencing new countries, new places and just enjoying the sport. I guess it’s great that my two brothers are still playing as well so hopefully one day we all play in the same team.Q. Do you guys discuss techniques or discussions about how to play? Or even pick on each other that you’re not doing this right?Sam Curran: Yeah we chat a lot, we chat most days about cricket so just try and help each other out. Tom’s playing in the Big Bash (BBL in Australia) at the moment so I’m supporting him there and then Ben’s in Zimbabwe at the moment playing there so we chat lots and just want them all to do very well.Q. Jimmy Nishan called the Impact Player rule as ‘crap’ and that he wants it gone. What are your thoughts on it?Sam Curran: I think the Impact Player rule is more of a tactical thing more than anything. Generally if your team’s struggling with the bat, they’ll put an extra batsman [batter] in. If you bat well they’ll put an extra bowler so I think it’s more of a tactical rule than anything.I think the game is moving with lots of ideas so there a few teams where you can kind of use the Impact Player rule and sometimes you don’t have to.The thing about it is (that) everyone uses it differently. People like it, people hate it but I guess I think if you’re a good team you don’t really need an Impact Player.

Sam Curran has scored 260 runs and picked seven wickets so far in the ILT20 Season 4. (Image: Creimas)

Q. Would you rather see the back of the rule or would you still stick with it?Sam Curran: I think if it’s used in the right way, I’d probably just keep it because I think it’s a good tactical decision and it gives an opportunity to somebody else so you can technically play 12 players.Q. At 27 you’ve seen a lot of things in your cricket career already. You’re a World Cup winner, you’ve had injury issues, there’s been criticism. What does success mean to you now as compared to when you were starting out?Sam Curran: I still feel very experienced but just trying to be a person who can win as many games as possible for their team, win lots of trophies, County championships and win lots of games for England so I like to keep me (myself) driven by winning tournaments, trophies and yeah just keep enjoying the game that we love.Q. How much of an importance are you giving to the T20 World Cup that is there in a couple of months now?Sam Curran: Right now my focus is here at the ILT20 to try and win this and after this we’ll see where the next few stages go but I would love to be a part of that and then hopefully England can go all the way and win the tournament.