IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders rope in tennis-ball sensation Abhishek Dalhor as net bowler

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are currently placed sixth in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) points table, with two wins out of five matches. The three-time champions have recently added a net bowler, Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, also known as Karan Ambala. The pacer can clock the ball at 140 kph speeds and has also featured in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL).

Majhi Mumbai, the ISPL team the Babyal-born has represented, is owned by the popular Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. The youngster has made history as the first player from a tennis ball tournament to be picked up by an IPL franchise. In an Instagram reel, Dalhor expressed his happiness at getting the opportunity to be a net bowler for KKR.

"Hello friends, my name is Abhishek Kumar Dalhor. After playing two seasons of ISPL, I have got the opportunity to be a net bowler for one of the most successful teams of IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders," he said in a social media announcement.

Check the video here:

The upcoming talent shared that being selected as a net bowler for KKR is a huge milestone for him as a tennis ball cricketer. He expressed gratitude to the league organizers and team owners as well upon being onboarded by the three-time champions into their bowling arsenal.

"This is a big thing for me as a tennis ball cricketer. Every rising star has a dream that he can contribute a little bit to one of the teams and the team to move forward. I am very thankful to the whole ISPL team, Suraj Samat, Neeti Ma'am, Amitabh Bachchan, and my team, Majhi Mumbai. And to all the supporters who have supported me and given me blessings to move forward. I will keep working hard and moving forward. You keep making your love. Thank you so much," he concluded.

Playing both the seasons of the tennis-ball tournament, Dalhor amassed a tally of 324 runs and 33 wickets in just 19 games for the Mumbai-based team. He emerged as Player of the Tournament in the opening season, followed by the Best Bowler of the Tournament in the next one.

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Meanwhile, KKR lost their previous match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by four runs and will aim to bounce back against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 11, in a bid to bolster their position on the IPL 2025 Points Table.