From the streetlights of Indian Street Premier League to the stadium glare of Eden Gardens, Abhishek Kumar Dalhor has carved a path few saw coming. The Ambala-born all-rounder, who lit up the Indian Street Premier League over two consecutive seasons, has now been roped in as a net bowler for the Kolkata Knight Riders. It’s not a full contract yet, but it’s a foot in the door — and sometimes, that’s all it takes. Dalhor made headlines with Majhi Mumbai, not just for his performances but also for the price he fetched — the highest in ISPL history. In 19 matches across two seasons, he smashed 324 runs and scalped 33 wickets. Sharp pace. Relentless discipline. A knack for breaking partnerships. That’s what earned him Player of the Tournament in Season 1, and Best Bowler in Season 2. His contribution helped Majhi Mumbai clinch the title earlier this year, sealing his place as a fan-favorite in the league. Read also: CSK vs KKR IPL 2025 Match 25: Key Stats & Milestones to Watch Does KKR see Varun 2.0 in Abhishek Kumar Dalhor? Abhishek's rise isn’t the fairy-tale kind — it's grittier. Hailing from a middle-class family, he cut his teeth in local tournaments, traveling across states for every chance to bowl, to bat, to prove. No training at elite academies. No powerful mentors. Just raw hustle. And now, as he rubs shoulders with the likes of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and other stalwarts in the KKR dressing room, Dalhor gets his first taste of the IPL ecosystem. He knows this isn’t just a warm-up gig. It’s an audition. A test of character and skill under pressure. The journey from net bowler to main squad isn’t unheard of. Just ask Varun Chakravarthy. A few years ago, he was throwing deliveries in nets for KKR and CSK. Today, he’s a crucial part of the KKR core, even playing a pivotal role in their 2024 title win. If Abhishek can echo even a fraction of that trajectory, the future might just hold a full-fledged IPL contract.