The hunger to play cricket never went away: C.M. Gautam
The Hindu
C.M. Gautam, 37, is back to First Class cricket after 3 yrs, having been chargesheeted in connection to corruption allegations in the 2019 Karnataka Premier League. After the Karnataka High Court quashed the chargesheet, Gautam's dream of playing First Class cricket was fulfilled when he took the field for a Sri Lanka Major League Tournament. He hopes to prove himself and is confident he still has plenty to offer.
Former Karnataka captain C.M. Gautam has taken the long and arduous route back to First Class cricket. Gautam’s long held wish to wear the whites was fulfilled when he took the field for Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club in Sri Lanka’s Major League Tournament.
The wicketkeeper-batter played two matches for the club in June, before returning to Bengaluru as the tournament was paused to accommodate the 2023 Lanka Premier League.
Gautam, 37, will fly to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, to complete his Major League Tournament season.
A little over three years ago, Gautam was among those chargesheeted in connection to corruption allegations in the 2019 Karnataka Premier League.
The case put a halt to Gautam’s career. He last represented Karnataka in October 2019, in a List A game against Goa.
In early 2022, things looked up for Gautam when the Karnataka High Court quashed the chargesheet. This cleared the way for his re-entry into official cricket.
Even during those tough times, Gautam held on to the dream.
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