- Anukul Roy is an Indian all-rounder who plays for Jharkhand in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
- He was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the 2018 ICC U19 World Cup, taking 14 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 9.07.
- Roy made his IPL debut in 2019 for Mumbai Indians and joined Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022.
- In domestic First-Class cricket, Roy has taken over 90 wickets and scored over 1,200 runs, including a top score of 153.
Anukul Roy is an Indian professional cricketer who represents Jharkhand in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He gained prominent national recognition as the joint-highest wicket-taker during India’s victorious 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup campaign. Operating as a slow left-arm orthodox spinner and handy left-handed batter, Roy is recognized in Indian cricket as a highly reliable spin-bowling all-rounder and elite fielder.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Anukul Sudakar Roy was born on November 30, 1998, in Seraikela, Jharkhand. To access better cricket coaching and infrastructure, he relocated to Jamshedpur early in his youth. His consistent performances in junior age-group tournaments paved the way for his progression into Jharkhand’s senior state team across all formats.
Roy made his List A debut for Jharkhand on February 8, 2018, against Odisha in the 2017–18 Vijay Hazare Trophy. A few months later, on November 1, 2018, he made his First-Class debut against Assam in the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy. Roy enjoyed an exceptional debut First-Class season, finishing as Jharkhand’s leading wicket-taker with 30 dismissals in nine matches. He subsequently made his Twenty20 debut for Jharkhand on February 21, 2019, during the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
What was Anukul Roy’s role in the 2018 U19 World Cup?
Anukul Roy played a pivotal role in India’s title-winning campaign at the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, managed by head coach Rahul Dravid and captained by Prithvi Shaw. Roy finished as the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Qais Ahmad of Afghanistan and Faisal Jamkhandi of Canada.
Across six matches in the tournament, Roy claimed 14 wickets at an extraordinary bowling average of 9.07, an economy rate of 3.84, and a strike rate of 14.1. His best individual performance came against Papua New Guinea on January 16, 2018, where he took 5 wickets for 14 runs. He followed this with another decisive spell of 4 for 14 against Zimbabwe. Roy’s ability to stem the run flow while striking regularly in the middle overs was central to India’s undefeated run throughout the tournament.
What is Anukul Roy’s IPL record and history?
Anukul Roy entered the Indian Premier League when he was purchased by the Mumbai Indians during the 2018 IPL player auction. He spent his early IPL seasons learning within the franchise, making his official IPL debut on April 25, 2019, against the Chennai Super Kings at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, where he recorded bowling figures of 1 for 11 in two overs.
Despite limited playing time in Mumbai’s starting eleven due to overseas and international team balance, Roy developed a strong reputation across the league for his exceptional ground fielding. As a frequent substitute fielder, he repeatedly produced match-altering catches and direct-hit run-outs for Mumbai Indians.
In the February 2022 IPL mega auction, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) acquired Roy for his base price of INR 20 lakh. KKR utilized Roy as a tactical option on spin-friendly tracks like Eden Gardens, where his tight left-arm orthodox lines effectively countered right-handed batters. He has also been deployed as a flexible lower-order batter and an Impact Player in modern tactical setups.
Career Summary and Statistical Breakdown
Anukul Roy has established a consistent statistical record across red-ball, List A, and T20 formats for Jharkhand and his IPL franchises. The table below details his overall career performance profile:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Batting Runs | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 30 | 93 | 6/55 | 1,223 | 153 |
| List A | 38 | 55 | 4/20 | 829 | 96 |
| T20s | 62 | 38 | 3/12 | 416 | 36* |
In First-Class cricket, Roy has established himself as a genuine top-order or middle-order batter alongside his primary bowling role, highlighted by a career-best score of 153. In white-ball cricket, his low economy rate makes him a effective defensive and attacking spin option in middle overs.
Playing Style and Tactical Strengths
Anukul Roy is a classical slow left-arm orthodox bowler who relies on precise line and length, subtle pace variations, and natural drift rather than massive turn. He excels at targeting the stumps, which frequently forces aggressive batters into making errors when attempting to hit across the line.
As a left-handed batter, Roy is capable of playing both anchor and finisher roles. He possesses strong power hitting against spin and reliable placement in the death overs. Furthermore, Roy is widely regarded as one of the finest athletic fielders in domestic Indian cricket, capable of saving critical runs in the backward point and cover regions.
What lies ahead for Anukul Roy?
As an established domestic performer in his mid-twenties, Anukul Roy continues to be a cornerstone player for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His ongoing focus remains securing a regular starting role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ XI and earning potential selection for India A squads. In an era where multi-skilled players—those who contribute with ball, bat, and in the field—are highly valued, Roy remains a potent asset in Indian cricket setups.
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Notable Domestic Performances and Match-Winning Spells
Anukul Roy’s reputation as a game-changer in domestic cricket was forged through consistent, high-impact performances for Jharkhand across all formats. His transition from junior cricket to the senior circuit was marked by immediate authority in red-ball conditions, where his ability to bowl
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IPL team does Anukul Roy currently play for?
Anukul Roy plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. He was acquired by KKR during the 2022 IPL mega auction for INR 20 lakh, serving as a left-arm orthodox spin bowler, lower-order batter, and athletic fielder.
What were Anukul Roy's stats in the 2018 U19 World Cup?
Anukul Roy took 14 wickets in 6 matches during the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup at a bowling average of 9.07 and an economy rate of 3.84. He finished as the joint-leading wicket-taker, helping India win the tournament.
Is Anukul Roy an all-rounder?
Yes, Anukul Roy is a genuine spin-bowling all-rounder. He bowls left-arm orthodox spin and bats left-handed, boasting a First-Class century (153) and several half-centuries in List A cricket alongside his high-volume wicket counts for Jharkhand.
What state team does Anukul Roy represent in domestic cricket?
Anukul Roy represents Jharkhand in Indian domestic cricket across all formats, including the First-Class Ranji Trophy, the List A Vijay Hazare Trophy, and the Twenty20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.