IPL 2018| We had plans for Chris Gayle, I just executed, asserts Krishnappa Gowtham

In Rajasthan's must-win game against Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday, Krishnappa Gowtham's magnificent spell remained significant to the comeback side's winning cause. He picked up 2 wickets shelling away just 12 runs from three overs in the process. More importantly, his two dismissals included an in-form Chris Gayle, which was followed by Kings XI skipper Ravichandran Ashwin.

Chris Gayle has been sensational this season. In the six matches that he had played before Tuesday, he smashed 310 runs. However, the big man couldn’t really come off against RR, thanks to some smart bowling by off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham. He was asked to bowl the first over of the innings and he kept things pretty tight, forcing the batsmen to take the risk.

He was called in the third over again with an attacking field set of a short leg and a slip in position. His first ball saw Gayle stepping out of the crease early for a smash over long on, but Gowtham had anticipated early and bowled a wide. Jos Buttler took care of the rest from behind the stumps as Punjab were reduced to 13/1.

Gowtham later revealed that they came fully prepared with a game plan and he executed to perfection in the crunch moment.

"We talked in the team meeting about what how we were going to bowl to Chris Gayle and we had a plan. So, I didn't think much about bowling to Gayle and stuck to the plan that we discussed," Gowtham said, reported India Today.

Two balls after dismissing Gayle, Gotham clean-bowled KXIP skipper R Ashwin, which led to an animated display of celebration by the talented youngster of Karnataka. When asked about his celebration, Gowtham said it was spontaneous.

"It's just spontaneous (on his celebrations). I do whatever comes to my mind. The focus is on the job and after that, you need to have a little bit of fun as well.

Gowtham has also found a place in India A squad for ODI tri-series against England and West Indies in UK. The 29-year-old said his experience of working with Australian legend Shane Warne, who is currently mentoring Rajasthan Royals in IPL, will help him on the tour.

"The experience of working with Shane Warne and his inputs will help in the India A tour," the off-spinner added.