Ranji Trophy 2017-18: 5 upcoming stars who can make it to the Indian team

#3 Krishnappa Gowtham, Karnataka

Krishnappa Gowtham has taken more wickets this season than his captain Vinay Kumar

34 wickets at 22.24 in 8 matches

An off-spinner still finding his feet in domestic cricket, Krishnappa Gowtham blossomed with 34 wickets this season, the joint third-highest tally but with a better average than Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who has as many wickets. Being the only one from his side to feature in the top thirteen list – even ahead of his experienced captain Vinay Kumar – Gowtham started the year with a five-for for India Red against India Green in the Duleep Trophy.

Consistent performances later in the Ranji Trophy from the 29-year-old gave Karnataka early momentum, as Gowtham bagged seven wickets against Assam in an innings win. Later, during the business end of the group stage, he came up with his career-best haul of 7/72 against Railways, following that up with 6/104 against a highly rated Mumbai line-up in the quarter-final.