Karan KC's Journey: From Imitating Brett Lee in Tennis Ball Cricket to Playing at Wankhede in T20 World Cup

The playing career of senior national team player Karan began after he made an impact by bowling in the style of Brett Lee in tennis ball cricket.

In the early stages of his professional cricket career, Karan KC frequently traveled to Mumbai. He used to train every summer at Umesh Patwal's academy. However, one item on his bucket list remained unchecked: playing at the Wankhede Stadium.

On Sunday, when Karan takes the field for Nepal against England in the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede, his long-held dream will finally come true. Since Nepal is scheduled to play all its group stage matches at this stadium, he has the opportunity to create some memorable moments at this prestigious venue.

“I traveled extensively around Mumbai using auto-rickshaws and local trains from Kandivali (where he lives),” Karan told ESPNcricinfo. “But I never got to enter Wankhede. On one of my initial visits, I really wanted to see the stadium. So, we took the local train to Churchgate. Just standing outside, so close to the stadium, felt amazing. I am very excited imagining that we are now playing there.”

“Umesh Sir always used to say, 'One day you will play there.' When the schedule came out, I told him, 'This is finally happening.' He was very happy.”

Karan's connection with India is not just with Mumbai; it also extends to Chandigarh, where he grew up. His father worked there. It was there that he laid his foundation by playing 'backyard cricket' with his elder brothers.

He said, “We used to play games like one-on-one, tri-series. I would always choose Australia, and my brother would choose India. The rule for bowling was that the action had to change every over. Since I am a big fan of Brett Lee, I would always bowl the first over in his style. Then Glenn McGrath's and others'. While batting, I would open like Ricky Ponting. If I got out, I would bat left-handed like Adam Gilchrist. This is how I learned the basics of cricket.”

Karan did not receive formal training until the age of 14. His turning point was a school trial, where he impressed everyone by bowling in Brett Lee's style. By the time he reached 10th grade, he had led his school team to the final of a tournament. At that time, he was also competing in the Junior National Judo Championship for Chandigarh.

But after entering junior college, cricket completely captivated him. “Tennis ball cricket,” he added, “I played day and night. I would play a match in the morning, go to college for a few hours, and then return to play in the evening. Sometimes I would only return home the next morning. My parents started worrying that their son might have fallen into bad company.”

By the time he reached 12th grade, Karan was a familiar name in Chandigarh's highly competitive tennis ball circuit. Competitive players who played with the red ball also came there. “Those tournaments were big,” he says, “I played with Manpreet Gony and Manan Vohra. Navdeep Saini also used to come and play.”

Karan only earned enough to cover his expenses there, but the enjoyment was unparalleled. After completing his BA from Chandigarh University, his father told him it was time to get serious.

“I was sent to Nepal in early 2014 to get my passport made,” Karan says, “After getting the visa, the plan was to go to Malaysia, where both my elder brothers lived. I was a graduate; if I tried, I might have found a job.”

Karan stayed temporarily with relatives in Pokhara, near his village in Baglung. “At that time, I couldn't speak Nepali very well,” he says, “I could understand, but I was more comfortable in Hindi and Punjabi.”

One day in Pokhara, while helping at his sister's shop, he saw people gathered around a TV. Nepal was playing Hong Kong in the T20 World Cup being held in Bangladesh. “Only then did I realize that Nepal actually had a national team. And I thought, 'Okay, I should try now too.'”

That path led him to Dipesh Khatri, a former U-19 cricketer and a big name in that region. After seeing Karan play in a college tournament, Khatri brought him into the Annapurna Machhapuchhre Club.

“I wasn't from that college, but they were impressed by my game and included me in the team,” he says, laughing, “They said they would manage everything, and no one would find out.” And indeed, no one found out until Karan became a big name.

Immediately after, Karan was called to Kathmandu for the national camp. He traveled overnight and didn't even know where to stay. At that time, the selection for the Everest Premier League (EPL) was ongoing, where he was selected as a net bowler.

The then Head Coach Pubudu Dassanayake was watching the trials. Impressed by Karan's game, Dassanayake recommended his name for the Panchakanya Teesta team.

By then, Karan had been back in Nepal for almost a year. There was no news about his visa, and his parents would call angrily from India. They were unaware of the progress Karan had made in Nepal's cricket structure.

Karan debuted for Nepal in 2015. In the 2016 EPL, he took 9 wickets in 6 matches, and his team won the title. “I received a total of 25,000 Rupees, including the match fee of 1500 Rupees per match and the winner's check,” he recalls, “My father was in Nepal at that time. I gave him 20,000 Rupees and kept 5,000 for myself. He was happy. Only after seeing my name in the newspaper did he slowly become positive about my cricket career.”

His journey continues even after more than a decade. Today, he is a senior member of the national team. He played a crucial role in the 2023 World Cup Qualifier journey, and in the Asia Cup that same year, he troubled Rohit Sharma with his outswinger (the video of which is on his 'favorite' list).

In 2024, he played in the T20 World Cup held in the USA and West Indies and captained the Kathmandu Gorhas in the Nepal Premier League (NPL). He is also the second-highest wicket-taker for Nepal in T20Is.

“The life of Nepali cricketers is good now,” Karan says, “We receive a monthly salary and match fees. My contract in the NPL goes up to 2 million Rupees. I have been able to build a house in Pokhara. My parents also returned from India to Nepal three years ago. They are very happy.”

Karan, who recently got engaged and is heading to the next World Cup, is in a very good state of mind right now.

“Both my elder brothers are settled,” he says, “One is in Japan and the other in America. But they still call and ask, 'You've captained now, why don't you open?'”

In an hour-long conversation, Karan shared many interesting anecdotes. He possesses a kind of free and simple energy that reflects his deep love for the game.

He identifies as an Australian supporter and openly praises Pat Cummins now. “I am reading his book, 'Tested',” Karan says, “One line has stuck with me—Cricket is a part of life, not life itself.”

“After the game ends, one must enjoy life outside. Sometimes we take cricket so seriously that we don't know how to handle defeat. I have always liked Australian cricket. They don't give up even when they are behind; defeat is not in their DNA. They always look for a way to come back. I hold the same mentality and wish the same for the people around me.”

Remember that Wankhede bucket list item that Karan is soon fulfilling? He is already looking at his next goal. Having already trekked to Annapurna Base Camp, his sights are now set on Everest Base Camp.

“It takes seven to ten days. It is very difficult,” he says, “I didn't have time in the last few years. Maybe I will go after the World Cup.”

For now, practicing and bowling at Wankhede, and perhaps hitting 'that MS Dhoni-like six,' will keep him satisfied.

ESPNcricinfo