IPL 2021: “On the field, you had to give your 100 percent and that is what I loved” KC Cariappa on playing under Gautam Gambhir in IPL

KC Cariappa, the mystery spinner from Karnataka gave an inside on how it is to play alongside two World Cup winners and former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir. Gautam Gambhir led KKR to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles – in 2012, and in 2014. Cariappa played under Gambhir in the IPL 2015 season.

KC Cariappa in an interview with Sportskeeda rolled back in the years and recalled his days of representing KKR. According to Cariappa, Gautam Gambhir was a very good captain and was a little strict in terms of bowling discipline. Cariappa mentioned Gambhir demanded a 100 percent once on-field and didn’t bother when you are off the field.

“Gambhir was a very good captain. He was a little strict in terms of bowling discipline, and effort on the field was something he wouldn’t compromise,” Cariappa said.

“Outside the field, he didn’t bother you. On the field, you had to give your 100% and that’s what I loved,” he added.

In 2015 IPL, KKR bought Cariappa for a whopping amount of 2.4 crores. When Cariappa bowled Gambhir two-three times in KKR nets, it was then KKR roped in Cariappa.

Cariappa has moved around in IPL. From KKR, he went to Punjab in 2016. He reflects back to his KKR and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) years.
“I haven’t got too many chances in the IPL. When I got selected in 2015, my name did the rounds, but I didn’t get too many matches. ABD (AB de Villiers) was my debut wicket, but after that, I didn’t play, Narine came back and I lost my chance. Even in the few seasons, I played for Punjab, I played only a few games. I feel there wasn’t a proper balance, even in my performance.

He wishes to get more matches under his belt in the coming seasons.
“But like everyone says, more the matches, higher the confidence. I still remember the first match I played, there were 1 lakh people in the Eden Gardens crowd, it was surreal. I would love to get more matches in the seasons to come and re-live those moments,” Cariappa concluded.

IPL 2021 auctions, Rajasthan Royals bought Cariappa for a base price of INR 20 Lakhs. Cariappa has played 11 matches in his IPL career, taking eight wickets at an economy of 9.66.