Street cricket shapes many players in India, yet only a handful rise beyond it. The format is fast, raw and full of talent, but the path forward is unclear for most. Many young players dream of stepping into bigger stadiums but struggle due to limited exposure and support.
This is why the journey of Karan Ambala (real name Abhishek Kumar Dalhor), known in the community as the “One Side Hero”, stands out. His story reflects steady focus, fitness and belief. He moved from Ambala’s streets to national tennis ball tournaments, then to the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), and finally into a professional IPL setup.
This blog covers the rise of Karan Ambala cricketer, from early life to ISPL stardom, from setbacks to leadership moments, and from local lanes to the KKR nets in the 2025 IPL season.
Early life and foundation
Karan Ambala’s real name is Abhishek Kumar Dalhor. He grew up in Ambala, Haryana, in a middle-class family. His early years were filled with fitness, sport and discipline. He was active in baseball and badminton and enjoyed both equally. This athletic base helped him build strong footwork and quick reactions.
He completed his BBA from Kurukshetra University. During school, he was also a pride NCC cadet, which shaped his discipline, endurance and focus. The structured training of NCC helped him form habits that later supported his cricket lifestyle.
Score all your matches for FREE!
Badminton was his first love. He played many inter-school and inter-college tournaments and collected several trophies. He even won the Mixed Doubles Championship at MM University. He later received the Best Athlete Award at G.M.N. College, proving his all-round sporting ability.
Karan Ambala also played baseball at university and national level before fully stepping into cricket. The sport had a strong influence on him. Baseball sharpened his reflexes, improved his timing and built his discipline. These habits carried over to cricket and helped him grow faster as an all-rounder
Cricket Q&A
Five quick questions. Get a personal tip.
These early years gave him the stamina, mindset and work ethic that later helped him dominate the tennis ball cricket world.
Street cricket and the first steps in his journey
Karan Ambala started playing with a tennis ball on the streets and grounds of Ambala. This format shaped his style. It taught him to react fast, hit hard and stay confident under pressure. Tennis ball cricket is simple, quick and full of flair. It needs players who are brave and ready to take risks. Karan fit right in.
He played many local tournaments, some in his hometown and others in places like Delhi and West Bengal. Kolkata played a huge part in his rise. The community saw him as a “one side hero” because he often dominated matches on his own with both bat and ball.
This phase built his name across the tennis ball circuit. It also set the stage for his next big chapter: the Indian Street Premier League.
Dominance in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL)
The ISPL changed everything for Karan Ambala. It gave him a stable platform, better visibility and a chance to perform in front of national viewers. He joined Majhi Mumbai, a team owned by Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan.
His run in the ISPL brought him fame across India.
Most expensive player in Season 2
During the ISPL Season 2 auction, he became the highest-bid player, going for ₹27 lakh. For a tennis ball cricketer, this was a massive moment. His family was shocked. It was a turning point in his life and a proud day for Ambala.
Awards and all-round numbers
- Player of the Tournament (Season 1)
- Best Bowler of the Tournament (Season 2)
- Across two seasons: 324 runs and 33 wickets
These numbers placed him among the top tennis ball players in India.
Celebrity connection
Karan shared that Abhishek Bachchan motivated him personally after he struggled in his first match. That short, calm conversation helped him regain confidence. It showed him that he belonged at the top level.
The shift toward professional cricket
The ISPL opened doors for many tennis ball players, and Karan Ambala was one of the biggest names to benefit from this new stage. His strong pace, sharp swing and accuracy with the tennis ball helped him adapt to the leather ball faster than many expected.
His improvement earned him a place as a net bowler for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 season. This step was huge for a player who started on the streets of Ambala. Working with international players, trainers and coaches gave him a new view of elite cricket.
This transition showed young players that tennis ball skills can move into professional cricket with discipline, fitness and focused training.
Playing style and mindset
Karan Ambala is a right-hand all-rounder. He can win games with either bat or ball. His game carries energy, sharp movement and a sense of calm under pressure.
Batting style
- Power hitter
- Aggressive stroke play
- Famous for “no-look” shots
- Strong in pressure overs
- Quick hands and sharp footwork (thanks to badminton background)
Bowling style
- Right-arm fast
- Known for swing
- Accurate yorkers
- Strong in death overs
- Adapts well between tennis and leather ball
His discipline sets him apart. He follows a clean lifestyle, avoids addictions and stays focused on fitness.
Records and achievements
Karan Ambala built his name across India with consistent performances. His list of achievements continues to grow. Some of his biggest ones include:
- Most expensive player in ISPL Season 2
- Player of the Tournament in ISPL Season 1
- Best Bowler of the Tournament in ISPL Season 2
- Many Man of the Series awards in national tennis ball tournaments
- Strong run in top leagues across Delhi, West Bengal and Haryana
His all-round numbers across both seasons of ISPL stand at:
324 runs + 33 wickets
Across his full tennis ball career, he has scored over 5,375 runs and taken 369 wickets.
These numbers place him among the top all-round tennis ball cricketers in India.
Notable match moments
Many matches across India shaped the rise of Karan Ambala cricketer. Some moments stand out for the community.
ISPL Season 1
He delivered steady all-round performances and finished the league as the Player of the Tournament.
ISPL Season 2 Auction
The moment he was bought for more than ₹27 lakh changed the way tennis ball cricket was viewed across India.
ISPL Season 2 Victory
His team won the trophy under his captaincy. He was named the Best Bowler of the Tournament.
KKR Net Bowler Selection
This was a dream moment. For a player from street cricket to enter the environment of IPL training showed how far he had come.
National tournaments
He won major awards in:
- MLA Monsoon Cup 2024
- KPL Saudi Arabia 2024 (Player of the Tournament)
- Rajnandini Cup 2025 (Champion + top performer)
- Dream Tennis Cricket League (Man of the Series)
- Rajasthan Cup 2025 (Man of the Series)
- Veer Damdar Aamdar Premier League
- Gramin Dhamaka Big Bash 2024–25
- Bihar Cup
- Gujarat Champions Trophy 2025
- Delhi Dhamaka Big Bash 2024
These performances built his national following and earned him respect in every tennis ball community.
Moments that shaped his journey
Karan Ambala’s rise did not happen in one season. Many small and big moments shaped him into the cricketer he is today. These events built his confidence, discipline and mindset.
1. Early focus on fitness
Even before choosing cricket, he trained hard. His love for badminton built speed, balance and strong coordination. These skills later helped him hit fast balls cleanly and bowl with rhythm.
2. Playing tennis ball cricket in Kolkata
Kolkata became his launchpad. The crowd, competition and pace of the matches helped him sharpen his attitude. Every tournament there improved him as an all-rounder.
3. Player of the Tournament in ISPL Season 1
This award pushed him into the spotlight. It showed that a player from a street format could perform on a bigger stage.
4. Highest-bid player in ISPL Season 2
The auction was a life-changing moment. A tennis ball cricketer being bought for more than ₹27 lakh changed mindsets across India.
5. Support from Abhishek Bachchan
After a rough start in his first ISPL match, Abhishek Bachchan motivated him. That short talk helped him calm down and rebuild focus.
6. Joining KKR as a net bowler
This step proved that street cricket talent can reach IPL training nets. It also gave hope to thousands of young players.
7. Leading teams in major national tournaments
His leadership in events like the Rajnandini Cup 2025 and others showed his growth beyond individual talent.
Each of these moments built a stronger version of Karan Ambala.
Struggles and steady comeback
Like many grassroots players, Karan faced tough phases.
Tennis ball cricket gave him fame, but breaking into professional cricket was hard. Money, travel and recognition were limited during his early years. Many tournaments did not have proper structure. There were days when performance went unnoticed.
He once shared that setbacks do not worry him anymore. He believes that external results should not weaken a player from inside. This mindset became his strength. He stayed calm, trained harder and waited for the next chance.
The arrival of ISPL became his comeback platform. It placed him on TV, brought fans, and gave him a chance to play under professional setups. From there, he rebuilt his entire journey.
Personal life and values
Karan Ambala lives a simple and disciplined life. His choices reflect clarity and purpose.
- He follows a clean lifestyle without addictions.
- He reads and listens to teachings from the Bhagavad Gita.
- He stays focused on fitness and mental calm.
- He believes his parents’ blessings have shaped his journey. He shares a very strong bond with his mother, and she was there at the ISPL matches to cheer for him
He often says that a player should stay balanced from within. This mindset helps him handle pressure, travel and long tournament schedules.
He also enjoys learning online. He uses YouTube to understand fitness routines, diet plans and spiritual concepts. His approach makes him relatable to many young players who learn from home.
Net worth and brand work
Karan’s growth in the last few years increased his earnings. His income comes from:
- Prize money from all-India tournaments
- ISPL auction money
- His sports shop, K9 Sports, in Ambala Cantt
- Brand work with 7070 Sports
As he plays more tournaments and gains more reach, his net worth continues to rise. He uses his platforms to guide younger players toward fitness and discipline.
Stats summary
Karan Ambala built a strong record across many formats of tennis ball cricket. His numbers reflect consistency and all-round skill.
Career totals (Tennis Ball Cricket)
- Runs: 5,375+
- Wickets: 369+
ISPL (Season 1 + Season 2)
- Runs: 324
- Wickets: 33
These numbers place him among the most complete tennis ball all-rounders in India today.
Karan Ambala’s Growing Fan Base Across Platforms
Karan Ambala has built a massive community of supporters across platforms. On CricHeroes, more than 14,730+ cricketers follow his journey closely. He has an even bigger presence on Instagram, where over 618K + fans keep up with his updates. On Facebook, more than 154K + followers track his achievements and performances. His reach shows how strongly players and fans connect with his game and personality.
Testimonial from Karan Ambala
CricHeroes adds real value to players at every level. I enjoy using it. The stats, match leaderboards and tournament coverage make the platform stand out. It has become an important part of my cricket journey, and I like the cricheroes a lot.
Unknown facts about Karan Ambala
Fans know him as a star, but there are many lesser-known details that shaped his journey.
- “Karan Ambala” became his cricket name because of his roots in Ambala.
- He never imagined he would bowl accurate yorkers with a leather ball until he trained for the KKR nets.
- He learns fitness routines, diet plans and mental practices from YouTube.
- His badminton achievements helped him build sharp footwork and quick reactions.
- He believes a calm mind builds strong performance more than anything else.
Conclusion
The journey of Karan Ambala cricketer shows how far hard work can take a player. From Ambala streets to top tournaments across India, he built his name with effort and fitness. ISPL shaped his fame, and KKR nets added a new step in his cricket path. His story gives hope to every young player who grows up with a tennis ball and a simple dream.
He proves that your path does not need a perfect start. It needs steady work. It needs belief. And it needs patience.
Your cricket matters. His journey shows exactly that.
Start your cricket story
If you play or organise matches, your journey deserves to be recorded. Keep track of your matches, runs and wickets with the platform built for everyday players.
Your cricket matters.
Start your match today on CricHeroes.
Download the app and grow with your community.
FAQ
1. Who is Karan Ambala?
Karan Ambala is a well-known tennis ball cricketer from Ambala who rose through street cricket and became a top performer in the ISPL.
2. What is his real name?
His real name is Abhishek Kumar Dalhor.
3. Why is he called the “One Side Hero”?
He earned the name because he often dominated matches alone with both bat and ball.
4. Which ISPL team does he play for?
He plays for Majhi Mumbai, owned by Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan.
5. How much was he sold for in ISPL Season 2?
He was the most expensive player at around ₹27 lakh.
6. What is his role in cricket?
He is a right-hand all-rounder who can bat powerfully and bowl fast with swing.
7. Did he enter professional cricket?
Yes, he joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a net bowler for IPL 2025.
8. Is he vegetarian?
Yes, he is a pure vegetarian and follows a clean lifestyle.
9. Where does he earn his income from?
He earns from tournaments, ISPL, his sports shop and brand work.
10. What are his biggest strengths?
His fitness, calm mindset, fast swing bowling and no-look batting shots.
I am Manan Joshi , SEO All-Rounder at CricHeroes.
CricHeroes is the ultimate Cricket Scoring App and the world’s only true Cricket Network. With more than 4 crore+ registered cricketers using CricHeroes to Live Cricket Scores for their local cricket matches and tournaments, CricHeroes is already the #1 Cricket Scoring App Globally!
We also proudly present “CricHeroes Store” by CricHeroes, a dedicated shop for cricket apparel and accessories, helping players gear up for their game.
