Bengaluru: Former Karnataka offspinner K. Gow-tham has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

He made the announcement yesterday at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — the venue where his dreams first took shape — where he was accorded a fitting farewell by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Surrounded by family and friends, he was honoured by KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, Secretary Santosh Menon and Vice-President Sujith Somasundar, bringing a sense of closure to an eventful career.

Gowtham, 37, finishes with 394 wickets and 2,783 runs — including a hundred and five half-centuries in Ranji Trophy — across formats for Karnataka in a career that spanned for nearly 14 years.

The crowning glory came in 2018-19, when he played a key role in Karnataka’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph.

In 2021, after having initially been picked as a net bowler, Gowtham earned his India cap after more than half the squad was struck down by COVID-19 on the tour of Sri Lanka. He picked up 1 for 49 in his only ODI.

Nicknamed Bhajji for his closeness to Harbhajan Singh’s action during his formative years, he had brief IPL success during his time with Rajasthan Royals, when the late Shane Warne famously termed Gowtham as his ‘IPL project’ in 2018.

Gowtham represented Royals, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings in all, playing a combined 36 games in which he picked up 21 wickets at an economy of 8.24.

Gowtham continues to play a key role in the backroom of the Mysuru Warriors, where he was a mentor and player during the 2025 edition.

Over the past two years, Gowtham has also become a regular in vernacular cricket commentary.