Just two weeks after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) informed Karan Lal that they would be monitoring his progress, the Bengal all-rounder delivered a brilliant 43-ball century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He scored 113 off 50 balls with 10 sixes and eight fours as Bengal chased down 212 against Himachal Pradesh.
Sportskeeda understands that KKR have taken strong note of Karan’s maiden T20 hundred on Tuesday, December 2. The 25-year-old attended the franchise’s trials in Mumbai from November 15 to 18, shortly before the start of SMAT 2025-26. The management present at the trials were reportedly impressed by his performances across the three practice matches.
Karan made an immediate impact by scoring a quick 52 off 23 balls at No. 4 in the first game. The off-spinning all-rounder also bowled an over in the powerplay, although he didn’t pick up a wicket. He continued his form with 32 runs in the next match.
During the trials, he also dismissed Delhi captain Yash Dhull and former KKR player Rahul Tripathi in the same over, conceding only three runs. He did not get a chance to bat or bowl in the final practice match.
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KKR Target Karan Lal Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction
After a major round of releases, KKR are expected to target Indian top-order batters at the IPL 2026 auction, which will take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Karan Lal fits that requirement perfectly, as he can bat anywhere in the lineup and provide reliable off-spin at any stage of the innings. Interestingly, he had also attended Mumbai Indians’ trials for IPL 2022 but was not selected.
Karan has now developed into a powerful six-hitter. He has smashed 15 sixes in four games in the ongoing Mushtaq Ali Trophy, only Abhishek Sharma, Ayush Mhatre, and Rohan Kunnummal have more. In the previous season, he finished as the fifth-highest run-scorer with 338 runs, striking at 161.72, and hit 18 sixes, the same as India star Abhishek.
He was also the leading performer in the Bengal Pro T20 League in June, topping the six-hitting charts with 16 sixes in eight matches at Eden Gardens. He scored 255 runs and picked up seven wickets in the tournament. Continuing his form this season, he has smashed 13 sixes and taken six wickets in seven matches while captaining Barisha Sporting Club in the JC Mukherjee T20 event.
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