In a season that saw the Kolkata Knight Riders start poorly before making a remarkable comeback, Anukul Roy has quietly emerged as one of the team’s most influential players.
The Jharkhand all-rounder feels he still has much more to contribute with the bat and wants greater responsibility in the middle order, even though his controlled left-arm spin has garnered accolades.
Roy, who returned with 2/31 after dismissing DC top scorer Pathum Nissanka and Tristan Stubbs at pivotal moments, was one of the key architects of KKR’s commanding victory over Delhi Capitals on Friday. To secure their fourth consecutive victory and maintain their hopes of making the playoffs, KKR chased down 143 in only 14.2 overs.
The 27-year-old claimed in an exclusive interview with PTI that he psychologically prepares himself for both roles and is prepared to contribute when needed.
“If we are batting first, I wish to contribute as much as possible with the bat for the team. Similarly, if we bowl first, it’s about containing as much as possible, restricting runs and taking wickets so that we stay in the game,” he said.
“I prepare myself so that I complete my four overs, so the preparation always stays in the mind.”
Roy, who finished as the joint highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, was an important part of India’s victorious team under Prithvi Shaw.
Players like Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, and current India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill were also from that batch.
Roy came into the 2026 Indian Premier League fresh off a stellar Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign for Jharkhand, where he was named Player-of-the-Series for taking 18 wickets at an economy rate of 7.41 and making 303 runs at a strike rate of 160.31.
This season, KKR trusted him with middle-over duties and frequently used him in the Powerplay ahead of Sunil Narine, demonstrating their great faith in him. He has participated in all ten of their games thus far.
Roy has continued to have an impact even though he is frequently employed as a backup bowler in a team full of all-rounders. He also made a fantastic boundary catch to get rid of Axar Patel against the Delhi Capitals.
Despite having little batting opportunities, he made the most of them in KKR’s crucial season-opening victory over Rajasthan Royals. Roy, batting at number eight, hit an undefeated 29 off 16 balls and put up an uninterrupted 76-run partnership with Rinku Singh off just 37 deliveries.
Roy turned the tide by hitting a slot ball for six in the penultimate over, with 21 required off the last two overs and Jofra Archer charging in. Roy said that he feels most at ease as a finisher and would prefer a larger role with the bat.
“Normally here at KKR I am sent to bat according to the situation, but waisa abhi ho nahin paya hai (things have not clicked much with the bat till now for me).
“But if you ask my favourite position, it is No. 6-7 as I’ve been batting at that position from the beginning. But if the team wants me to bat higher up, I’m ready like I have been doing in the domestic circuit.
“I have the idea to bat in the powerplay, I’m used to batting at that position. You can put me anywhere but, given a choice, I would like to bat at No. 6-7.”
Roy claimed that his excellent SMAT campaign with Jharkhand, where he regularly batted at No. 5, was much influenced by role clarity.
“My role was clear for Jharkhand, that I would bat at No. 5 whatever may be the situation, even if the wickets fall early or late. I was always sure of my batting position and that clarity really helped me in our campaign (SMAT). It also gave me the confidence from inside that the team is believing in my abilities.”
This IPL season, Roy’s bowling stats have also been outstanding. Over ten games, he has taken eight wickets from 20.1 overs at an average of 22.37, which is better than Varun Chakravarthy’s 25.00 and nearly equal to Narine’s 22.80. The left-arm spinner claimed that following straightforward strategies and maintaining discipline had contributed to his success.
“Bowling in the powerplay, it’s about containing, don’t give anything extra and use the long boundaries, and that has helped me. Coaches also give me a plan and I just try to stick to that and remain calm in my mind.”
Roy was born in Seraikela, Jharkhand, and raised in Samastipur, Bihar, before relocating to Jamshedpur to play cricket during a period when Bihar lacked a Ranji Trophy team. Ishan Kishan, who had relocated from Patna to Jharkhand a year prior, experienced a similar journey. Since their U-16 days, the two have been quite close.
Roy commended the Indian wicketkeeper-batter for his positive vibe in every dressing room and added that Kishan’s path had motivated him.
“He played one year before me (in Under-16 days) for Jharkhand. He went from Patna and I from Samastipur (Bihar), so we both had a similar path coming from Bihar.
“It’s really a struggle when you stay away from family, like eating, playing, going to practice on time. He also did it. I also saw him and got inspired seeing him.
“Wherever he is, he always lifts the environment, makes it a happy atmosphere. Even if you had a bad day in the match, you go back and enjoy the atmosphere in the dressing room and think about the next day, not today.”
