Karnataka all-rounder –Krishnappa Gowtham, who was one of the costliest Indian buys in the IPL Auction 2018 when Rajasthan Royals (RR) acquired his services for a whopping Rs 6.2 crore, is eager to meet the expectation of RR in the cash-rich T20 league.
The 29-year-old has added fuel to his confidence with his brilliant performances in Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy before heading into the 11th edition of the IPL 2018. The off-spinning all-rounder has joined the RR training camp in Jaipur on Tuesday (13 March).
Gowtham told Mail Today, “Rajasthan Royals must have put in a lot of thought in it (taking him) and I would definitely want to stand up to the expectation. It’s always good to be bowling when it comes out well. I have been doing it for my state side and want to continue the same for Rajasthan Royals.”
It is known that the wrist spinners have been playing the crucial role in the team’s win in the modern day game, and even the franchises spent on heavily on them in the IPL auctions, but Gowtham believes that off-spinners will also be the game changers in IPL.
He further said, “Not only Chahal and Kuldeep, if you see IPL history, there is Ashwin who used to open the bowling and he has been very successful, one of the most successful bowlers in fact. Harbhajan Singh’s economy has been under six in IPL. So there is a lot of success for off-spinners as well.”
On being asked whether off-spinners will be under pressure to give results, Gowtham replied, “Not really. You need to have a lot of variations in your bowling. It will add on to your success. Yes, wrist spinners are fancied in T20 but I am sure there is a lot of scope for off-spinners as well.”
Gowtham, who is a passionate wildlife fan and loves his solitude in the wilderness, is looking forward to pick RR’s mentor Shane Warne’s brains during the IPL 2018, starting from 7 April in Mumbai.
He signed off by saying, “Shane Warne is a legend and you would want to pick his brains. I am very excited and looking forward to work with him. I like going to the wild. It is a hobby. You don’t get lucky all the time when you go to jungle but when you get to see the big cats, there is a lot of joy and excitement.”
