Who Is Anukul Roy: All-Rounder Who Backed Rinku Singh In KKR's First Win In IPL 2026

Anukul Roy chose the perfect stage to underline his value for Kolkata Knight Riders, delivering a composed late-order cameo that turned a tense chase into a statement victory in their IPL 2026 opener at Eden Gardens. Walking in with the target of 156 still some distance away, the all-rounder counter-attacked smartly, easing pressure on Rinku Singh and steering KKR to their first win of the season with authority.

The 27-year-old left-hander finished unbeaten on 29 off just 16 balls, striking 2 sixes and a four in a fluent knock that never allowed the required rate to climb. More crucial than the individual numbers was his role in a decisive 76-run stand with Rinku. This partnership shifted the momentum of the contest and carried KKR past the line

in the Sunday evening fixture at Eden Gardens.

Who Is Anukul Roy?

Anukul Roy burst onto the wider Indian cricket radar during the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker and played a central role in India’s title-winning campaign. A left-arm spinner often likened to Ravindra Jadeja for his bowling style and fielding, he also showcased useful lower middle-order batting, prompting selectors to mark him out early as a long-term prospect and accelerate his progression through the ranks.

In the immediate aftermath of that World Cup success, Roy earned an IPL contract with the Mumbai Indians for the 2018 season. Within days of returning from the global event, he made his List A debut for Jharkhand, underlining how quickly his career was moving—remarkably, all this happened before he had even turned 19. He stayed in the Mumbai Indians setup until 2021, after which he switched to Kolkata Knight Riders, the franchise he continues to represent.

Yet, despite the early buzz around his potential, regular chances at the top level have been limited. Since entering the IPL in 2018, Roy has taken the field in only 12 matches across eight seasons, with his busiest campaign featuring just four games. In first-class cricket as well, he has found it difficult to secure a lasting place in the India A structure or push firmly into national team contention. Playing for a Jharkhand side that has seldom advanced to the latter stages of domestic competitions has also curtailed his exposure.

Even so, Roy has steadily built a strong reputation in domestic T20s. During the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, in a group match against Uttar Pradesh, he very nearly engineered an improbable win. Chasing a daunting target after Jharkhand collapsed to 116 for 8, Roy launched a stunning counter-attack, hammering 91 off 44 balls and dragging his team close to the finish. Although Jharkhand could not quite get over the line, that innings underlined his ability to alter games almost single-handedly.

Twelve months later, in the 2025 edition of the same tournament, Roy faced a familiar scenario against Karnataka but produced a different result. With Jharkhand struggling at 105 for 6, he constructed a measured yet forceful unbeaten 95 off 58 deliveries, expertly managing the chase and taking his side to a dramatic two-wicket victory. That knock turned out to be a defining moment in Jharkhand’s campaign, laying the foundation for their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph. Over the course of the tournament, Roy amassed 303 runs at a strike rate of 160.31 and also claimed 18 wickets, a dual contribution that earned him the Player of the Tournament honour.

Performances like these, capped by his latest finishing act for KKR, reinforce Roy’s credentials as a genuine all-round option ready to influence games whenever trusted with responsibility.