Anukul Roy, in his allegiance to the team, gives priority to team success over personal milestones, which was clearly visible in Jharkhand’s winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for the first time in 2025. The 27-year-old all-rounder had a superb domestic season, and the momentum he built could change his role with Kolatala Knight Riders (KKR) in the upcoming IPL 2026.
Anukul Roy Eyes Regular KKR Spot in IPL 2026
After an excellent domestic season, Anukul Roy is now looking for a steady place in the KKR lineup in IPL 2026.
“I want to play regularly in the IPL. Right now, I’m the second or third-choice spinner on my team, but I want to be the main spinner and will work hard to get there,” Roy revealed.
Anukul Roy has been a member of the KKR team for four years and yet he has only played in 11 IPL games where he batted just 26 runs in seven times and bowled only five wickets in 160 deliveries with a modest economy rate. Interestingly, he made his Indian Premier League debut in 2019 for the Mumbai Indians, where he gave away just 11 runs from 2 overs taking 1 wicket and did not get a chance to bat in his only outing.
Roy is going to be fighting really hard for his place in the team. The franchise has a solid spin department headlined by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, while Maharashtra leg-spinner Prashant Solanki is already waiting patiently for his turn. In addition, if the franchise decides to go with Rachin Ravindra, the combination of his top-order batting and left-arm spin will pose even more competition.
Nevertheless, with his current form and all-round consistency at the domestic level, Roy’s case for more IPL opportunities becomes stronger every day. If the Knight Riders decide to go for an extra Indian spinner to complement Varun and Narine, the reliable all-rounder from Jharkhand may at last get the recognition he has been waiting for so long.
Anukul Roy’s prolific performance in SMAT, Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Anukul Roy was an indisputable contender in Jharkhand’s SMAT 2025-26 triumph, as he impressed both with bat and ball. The all-rounder batted in the lower middle-order and even so, he scored a total of 303 runs at a staggering average of 60.60, with a pace of 160.31. Besides that, he took 18 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.38 and a rate of 7.41. His staggering numbers for a versatile player also include nine catches.
For his remarkable outings, Anukul Roy was awarded Player of the Tournament. Jharkhand’s SMAT 2025 title is of special importance to him.
Roy has maintained that momentum in the current Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. His 98 not out against Pondicherry showed his increasing maturity as a batsman. His left-arm orthodox bowling has successfully held batters back at crucial times. In four games, he has already made 163 runs at 81.50, with two fifties among them. He has also taken three wickets with the ball, reinforcing his status of being a true all-rounder.