WATCH: Krishnappa Gowtham accuses Punjab Kings of ill-treatment hours before IPL Auction 2025

IPL cricket star Krishnappa Gowtham made a huge statement about the Punjab Kings just hours before the auctions on Sunday. The 36-year-old has played for a handful of teams that includes Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. 

During a chat with Cricket.com, the 36-year-old said, “I would say Punjab Kings. I’m just being very honest. I’ve never had a good experience with them. There are other things; it’s not just about cricket. It’s not the way I would want to be treated as a cricketer. When I play for a team, I always give more than 100% for the team; I never keep anything back. But I wouldn’t give more than 100% to the Punjab Kings if they pick me.”

I will not give my 100 percent efforts if #PBKS pick me . Krishnappa Gowtham #IPL2025 . Demeaning a team in public platforms is all players with no pedigree can do . pic.twitter.com/Xq653cjOSj

— AARYAN (@AARYAN0791) November 23, 2024

Krishnappa Gowtham has played a total of 36 games in the IPL, and picking up 21 wickets. He has also scored 247 runs with the bat, with a best of 33 not out and a strike rate of 166. Gowtham has also played a solitary ODI match for India where he picked 1 wicket and scored runs in 2021 against Sri Lanka. 

Punjab Kings looking to set Auction table on fire

Priety Zinta and her Punjab Kings think tank head into the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction 2025 with the highest purse. PBKS retained just two players and have over INR 100 crores along with four Right to Match cards. Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is one of the names that is being linked with a potential move to Punjab during the auctions. 

Ricky Ponting is set to oversee the proceedings during the auction after being named the coach. The former Australian skipper took over as the coach from Trevor Bayliss after parting ways with Delhi Capitals. If Punjab are able to acquire Pant it will be a great reunion with Ponting with whom the 27-year-old shares a great rapport. 

Punjab are yet to win the IPL title and didn’t make the playoffs last season despite mid-season revival. Shikhar Dhawan who was the captain last season has retired from all forms of cricket while England star Sam Curran was released at the end of the season.