Kolkata: Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham has tendered an unconditional apology to the BCCI after being barred from playing the Duleep Trophy and after being left out the India A squad for the unofficial tests against New Zealand.
The right-arm off-spinner had represented India Red in the Duleep Trophy and had played the opening game where he bagged five wickets. But after the game, he left for Bengaluru saying that he was suffering from typhoid.
Interestingly, he turned up for the Belagavi Panthers in the Karnataka Premier League without the BCCI’s permission.
He was subsequently handed a show-cause notice by BCCI General Manager Game Development Ratnakar Shetty and was stopped from participating further in the Duleep Trophy. In addition, he was also removed from the India A squad for the unofficial tests against New Zealand.
In his apology letter, he justified his participation in the KPL on September 12.
He wrote, “I thought it was typhoid but it turned out to be viral fever.”
He said that he felt, “bowling four overs and fielding for 85 minutes” was acceptable, while he was completely oblivious to the fact that he was in the selectors minds’ for a place in the India A team against New Zealand, especially after having done well in the series against South Africa.
The disciplinary committee of the BCCI comprising of president CK Khanna, Niranjan Shah and senior politician Jyotiraditya Scindia would now decide as to what further steps are needed to be taken in this issue.
Khanna told PTI, “Yes, I have received his apology letter. In my view, it has been a huge mistake on Gowtham’s part to have disrespected a tournament of Duleep Trophy’s stature. He has apologised unconditionally. He is a young cricketer and we need to look at his career ahead. While I want him to give a written undertaking, I haven’t yet discussed with Mr Shah and Mr Scindia in this regard.”