Anukul Roy Early Life & Background
Anukul Sudhakar Roy, born on November 30, 1998, in Saraikela Kharsawan, Jharkhand, is a talented left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. Growing up in a region not traditionally known for producing cricketers, Anukul defied odds to establish himself as a reliable all-rounder in domestic cricket.
His journey began in Jharkhand’s age-group cricket, where his spin bowling and handy batting caught the attention of selectors. His breakthrough came when he was selected for India’s U-19 squad and played a crucial role in their 2018 U-19 World Cup victory, taking 14 wickets—the joint-highest in the tournament alongside Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag.
Domestic Cricket Career
First-Class & List A Debut
- First-Class Debut (2018): Played for Jharkhand vs Assam in the Ranji Trophy.
- List A Debut (2018): Represented Jharkhand vs Services in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- T20 Debut (2019): Made his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy debut against Delhi.
Domestic Stats (Key Highlights)
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 39 | 1,654 | 153 | 28.51 | 112 | 6/67 |
| List A | 54 | 1,034 | 96* | 30.41 | 55 | 4/31 |
| T20s | 58 | 657 | 91 | 21.19 | 37 | 4/17 |
Notable Performances:
- First-Class: Scored 4 centuries, including a 153, and took a 10-wicket haul (10/130).
- List A: Averages 30+ with the bat and has 4 four-wicket hauls with the ball.
- T20s: Strike rate of 150+, proving his ability as a finisher.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Journey
Anukul was first picked by Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2018 but got limited opportunities. Later, he was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he has been used as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
IPL Career Stats
| Teams | Matches | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI & KKR | 11 | 26 | 5 | 2/19 | 8.42 |
Though his IPL opportunities have been limited, he remains a valuable domestic performer.
Playing Style & Strengths
- Batting: Left-handed middle-order batsman with ability to accelerate.
- Bowling: Accurate left-arm orthodox spinner, known for tight lines and wicket-taking ability.
- Fielding: Agile fielder with safe hands.
Recent Performances (2024-25 Season)
- Jharkhand vs Tamil Nadu (Jan 2025): Scored 46 & 0, took 2/35 in FC match.
- Jharkhand vs Goa (Jan 2025): Took 4/57 in List A game.
- Jharkhand vs Odisha (Dec 2024): 3/19 in List A match.
Future Prospects
Anukul Roy has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, and with more exposure in the IPL, he could emerge as a handy all-rounder for India in the future. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset.
