‘Ashwin and McCullum’s wickets are my favourite’

Krishnappa Gowtham’s contributions for Rajasthan Royals have been stellar so far. The 29-year-old off-spinner opened up about the role his parents played in his success and his journey in an exclusive chat.

Excerpts

What has been your favorite IPL moment so far?

Getting Brendon McCullum’s wicket at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Three reasons why it is my favorite. One, it was McCullum and second, it was in Bangalore. Three, it was in a winning cause. In Jaipur, the wicket of R Ashwin against Kings XI Punjab was my favorite. It is an off-spinner’s delight to get a fellow off-spinner

How do you look back at 2016, the year which made you?

I was happy to have made a comeback to the Karnataka set-up. Everyone knows how difficult it is to come back to the Karnataka set-up. Once you go out of the side and then you make a comeback, it is a big thing. I was fortunate.

Your father is a kabaddi player. What were the sporting qualities he instilled in you?

Kabaddi is a tough game. It is physical and mental. The physical aspect is more important. He (Krishnappa) pushed me to go out there and do what I like. He has never stopped me from doing what I wanted.

Yet, you credit your mother for your success in cricket?

She was the main reason why I started playing cricket. My dad did not know that I was part of the school team and my mother used to send me for cricket coaching classes without my dad’s knowledge.

JAIPUR:

What keeps you motivated?

I did not want to have this regret when I get picked that, ‘ I could have tried harder’. As professional cricketers, you have to motivate yourself.