KC Cariappa

Konganda Charamanna “KC” Cariappa – or “Carri” to his teammates – is widely regarded as India’s first “mystery spinner.” The leg-spinner from Coorg, Karnataka, operates with a distinctive round-arm action, his stock ball being the leg break, complemented by a sharp googly, deceptive carrom ball, and the rare ability to bowl off-spin without altering his grip.

Originally a fast-bowling all-rounder, Cariappa switched to spin at 17 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2014, he shone for Karnataka U19s and the Bijapur Bulls in the Karnataka Premier League, finishing as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker and catching the eye of IPL scouts. That same year, during a trial with Kolkata Knight Riders, even skipper Gautam Gambhir struggled to pick him. By February 2015, KKR secured his services for ₹24 million (US$300,000) – a remarkable sum for a player with no top-level cricket experience at the time.

Cariappa made his IPL debut that season, dismissing AB de Villiers in his very first match. He later represented Kings XI Punjab, returned to KKR in 2019, and joined the Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and 2022. His domestic breakthrough came in October 2023 after moving to Mizoram, where strong T20 and List A campaigns led to a first-class debut in January 2024. He made an immediate impact in the Ranji Trophy with match figures of 6-108 and 2-66, plus a fluent 42 from 37 balls against Sikkim.

He has since produced a string of standout performances – including 8 wickets and a blistering 74 off 54 balls against Arunachal, a second 10-wicket haul against Meghalaya, and valuable lower-order runs – building a record of 138 wickets at 24.52 and a first-class batting average of 24.50 across all formats in India.

Overseas, Cariappa has been equally dominant. Signing with Mildenhall for the 2024 East Anglian Premier League, he claimed 45 wickets at 13.78 and 299 runs at 21.36. Re-signed for 2025, he delivered again with 44 wickets at 15.64 and 337 runs at 25.92, establishing himself as one of the EAPL’s most valuable professionals.

Now seeking a return for the 2026 season, Cariappa brings proven match-winning ability, a wealth of high-level experience, and the unique skill set that has made him one of cricket’s most sought-after “mystery” spinners.