KKR rope in Indian Street Premier League star after 4-run defeat against LSG in IPL 2025 clash

Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) star Abhishek Kumar Dalhor, who's been a standout all-rounder for Majhi Mumbai for the last couple of seasons, has joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The defending champions KKR have picked him Abhishek Dalhor as a net bowler for the ongoing IPL 2025.

Abhishek Dalhor joins KKR as net bowler for IPL 2025

Abhishek holds the record of being the most expensive player in ISPL history. He played a crucial role in Majhi Mumbai clinching the title in season 2, which wrapped up earlier this year, and he's become a well-known name in the tournament after his impressive performances in the first two campaigns. Dalhor is recognised for his pace bowling, his consistency, his skills with both bat and ball, and his knack for delivering match-winning performances, as evidenced by his strong record over the past two ISPL seasons.

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Dalhor, who hails from Ambala, has put up some impressive numbers in the ISPL over the last two seasons. In just 19 matches, he's scored 324 runs and taken a remarkable 33 wickets, and his efforts haven't gone unnoticed. He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the first season and then named the best bowler in the second season.

Dalhor comes from a modest background and has played in various cricket tournaments across India before making his mark in the ISPL. Now, he's got a golden opportunity to share the dressing room and learn from some of the biggest names in the game, like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Ajinkya Rahane, as part of the KKR squad.

While it might seem like a long shot right now, Dalhor has a real chance to follow a similar path to Varun Chakravarthy. Chakravarthy also started his IPL journey as a net bowler for both KKR and CSK. His talent shone through, leading to Kolkata picking him up in 2020, and he's been a key player for them ever since. It's an inspiring example of how dedication and performance can open doors.

Varun Chakravarthy was absolutely instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders' championship victory in 2024 and remains a crucial component of their team. Now, for Abhishek Dalhor, this net bowler opportunity with KKR could be a significant stepping stone. If he manages to impress the coaches and players with his skills and dedication during his time in the nets, there's a very real possibility that an IPL contract could be waiting for him down the line.

Talking about KKR, they recently suffered a four-run defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in a high-scoring thriller on April 8. After the loss they are now placed at sixth spot in the IPL 2025 points table with two wins and three defeats. KKR will next face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 11.