BCCI to set up an inquiry against K Gowtham, dropped from India A squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to set up an enquiry against Karnataka batsman K Gowtham citing disciplinary issues. He has also been dropped from India ‘A’ squad which is slated to play against New Zealand on October 17 and 19 in Mumbai. Gowtham has been replaced by the leg-spinner Karn Sharma in the squad.

According to the reports, earlier it was stated that Gowtham had skipped a Duleep Trophy game as he was unwell. But the 28-year-old all-rounder went on to feature in the ongoing Karnataka Premier League (KPL) after a couple of days. He had also provided the certificate of being unwell and didn’t take the field on the fourth day of the opening encounter of the Duleep Trophy. Instead, he was seen playing for Belagavi Panthers against Bellary Tuskers on September 12.

This is an insult to the system

According to the BCCI, CEO, Rahul Johri, the board has set up an inquiry into Gowtham’s sudden decision to skip the domestic tournament and opt for a match in KPL.

“Gowtham opted out of the Duleep Trophy game during the first match and even produced a medical certificate that he was unwell. Two days later, he was found playing in the Karnataka Premier League. This is gross insult to the system. A player can’t take a national-level tournament for granted like this. The board is looking into this incident and till the enquiry is over, he will not be picked for India A team,” Johri told to ToI on Wednesday.

Indian Test player Karun Nair had also skipped a Duleep Trophy game earlier. Johri informed that the board would look into that matter as well and decide what to do. Though he made it clear that they haven’t taken any decision on Nair. But K Gowtham must go through an inquiry after his latest actions of giving preference to the T20 league ahead of the national first-class tournament.

Gowtham was the part of India Red side which has stormed into the finals as the other two sides India Blue and India Green are battling it out for the other spot.