'Pressure, pain, sacrifice': Ex-KKR spinner's journey from IPL spotlight to final goodbye at 31

NEW DELHI: Former Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings leg-spinner KC Cariappa has announced his retirement from Indian (BCCI) cricket at the age of 31, bringing the curtain down on a career that promised much and delivered moments he says will stay with him forever.

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Cariappa burst into the limelight in the IPL in 2015 when KKR snapped him up for a hefty Rs 2.4 crore. On debut, the young leg-spinner produced a moment that instantly etched his name into league folklore — dismissing South African great AB de Villiers. Yet, in a twist that would come to define much of his professional journey, Cariappa played just one match that season before being released.




The following year, he was picked up by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) for Rs 80 lakh and played nine games there in two seasons. Cariappa would return to KKR in 2019, only to feature in a solitary game once again. In total, he played 11 IPL matches, picking up eight wickets at an economy rate of 9.66, while spending much of his IPL stint on the fringes despite the early hype. He was part of Rajasthan Royals squad too during his IPL career.

Announcing his retirement through an emotional Instagram post, Cariappa reflected on a journey that began far from the limelight. “From the streets where it all began to stadium lights and wearing the jersey with pride – I lived the dream I once only imagined. Today, I officially announce my retirement from BCCI cricket,” he wrote. “This journey gave me everything. Victories that made me smile, defeats that broke me and lessons that shaped me.”

“I’ve felt pressure, pain, sacrifice but also the kind of joy only cricket can give,” he added.



Though he hails from Karnataka, Cariappa represented Mizoram in domestic cricket and enjoyed a productive run. In 14 first-class matches, he claimed 75 wickets at an impressive average of 23.20, while also taking 24 wickets in 20 List A games. In T20s, he finished with 58 wickets from 58 matches at an economy of 6.60.

Expressing gratitude, Cariappa thanked the Karnataka State Cricket Association for “building me, guiding me and believing in me,” and the Cricket Association of Mizoram for supporting him “like family.” He also looked back fondly on his IPL years. “My 7-year IPL journey will always stay close to my heart,” he wrote.

Signing off, Cariappa struck a poignant note: “I may be retiring from BCCI cricket today but I will never retire from loving this game.”


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