134*, 8/15: Gowtham’s T20 miracle

Bengaluru, August 24

Krishnappa Gowtham smashed a 56-ball 134 and then picked up an incredible 8/15 in a T20 match in the Karnataka Premier League (KPL). Playing for Bellary Tuskers, the all-rounder smashed the fastest hundred in the tournament’s history, in just 39 balls. His 134 was also the highest total with the bat in KPL. He then picked up an astonishing 8/15 in his four overs. Gowtham also registered the most number of sixes in an innings in the KPL, with 13 hits to his name, as his side won by 70 runs under the VJD method. 

Unofficial

Even though Gowtham’s effort is better than that of Colin Ackermann, who registered figures of 7/18 in a Vitality Blast match in England earlier this month, it will not be considered an official record in the books as state T20 leagues are not given the official T20 status.

Gowtham, who plays first-class cricket for Karnataka and IPL for Rajasthan Royals, said: “I definitely didn’t expect to play this kind of an innings. As a cricketer it is a dream day. And it is something we can’t plan for, it just has to happen. It is something which we always work for. Some days it does come off and I was fortunate enough that it happened yesterday. It was just one of those when you’re in the zone and everything comes off.” — PTI