From the sidelines to the spotlight, Anukul Roy's moment beckons

For a cricketer who has spent seven seasons in the IPL, Anukul Roy has largely existed on the sidelines. Having played just 12 games across seven editions, the all-rounder has waited.

That wait might finally be nearing an end. A strong domestic season has pushed his name back into conversation, attributed to consistent performances that eluded him before. "Every year across 7-8 matches, I'd perform in 2, 3 or 4 matches," Roy says. "This year it happened in every game; I could contribute in every game."

The shift was less about changing his game and more about understanding his role better. Batting higher up the order for Jharkhand allowed him to influence games. "For what I can do, in the last 10-12 balls the match cannot be changed," he points out. "That's why I wanted to play 30-35 balls, because I have the capability."

This clarity came after conversations with Jharkhand's team management, including JSCA secretary Saurabh Tiwary. "I had asked Saurabh bhaiya if my batting position could be moved up by 1 or 2 spots; then I can perform for the team," Roy recalls. The move worked—he scored over 300 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at a strike rate of 160, was named Player of the Tournament as Jharkhand won, and carried form into the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

A conversation with MS Dhoni stayed with him. "He said that the more I did well and performed in domestic cricket, the more visible I'd be and there would be chances in the IPL," Roy recalls. "I've kept this in my head throughout this year."

Years within IPL setups have shaped his game. "A lot of small things," he says. "Like how to bowl in the Powerplay, how to deal with left-right combinations… or if I have to bat early, how to approach that situation. I've learnt a lot of things like that here and implemented them in domestic cricket, and it worked out."

With KKR since 2022, Anukul Roy may finally be a regular in the XI this time around

At Kolkata Knight Riders, injury concerns could open a door. The side needs someone who can contribute with both bat and ball, especially in Harshit Rana's absence. "The thing is, there are two spinners (Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine) from before, so they will get preference," he admits. "How I become the third, with my batting and bowling… my chances will be high. I've seen over the years that just bowling won't be enough. I need to score with the bat as well."

He has learned from teammates: backspin from Varun Chakaravarthy, the arm ball from Sunil Narine, and the yorker from Krunal Pandya. "He told me about when to hold the cross seam and when to bowl a yorker with the seam," Roy says. "Like for batters who have trouble with the ball on their feet, bowl a yorker with the seam so if it swings and goes to their feet, it'll be tough for them to hit."

At 27, Roy is no longer a young prospect. "I've been waiting for years to do this," he says. The pieces seem to have fallen into place. For perhaps the first time in his IPL journey, Anukul Roy isn't just waiting for an opportunity—he has given himself a genuine shot at claiming it.