From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Anukul Roy's IPL Breakthrough Awaits

For a cricketer who has spent the better part of seven seasons in the IPL ecosystem, Anukul Roy has largely existed on the sidelines around the action, but rarely at the centre of it. Squads have changed, combinations have evolved due to the Impact Player rule, and opportunities have come and gone. Through it all, having played just 12 games in seven editions, the all-rounder has waited. That wait, however, might finally be nearing an end.

A strong domestic season has pushed his name back into the conversation, and he attributes that to his consistent performances, something he admits had eluded him in previous years. "Every year across 7-8 matches, I'd perform in 2, 3 or 4 matches," Roy says in an exclusive chat. "This year it happened in every game; I could contribute in every game. I was keeping that in mind while playing, so that felt good."

The shift, as he explains, 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 in a way he couldn't from the lower order. "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."

That clarity came after conversations with the Jharkhand team management, particularly with the 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. "He said we'll see during the season. So during the season, he spoke to the coach and Ishan (Kishan), suggested a batting order change, and said that I was doing well."

The move worked, as he ended up scoring over 300 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at a strike rate of 160. Jharkhand were eventually crowned champions, with Roy named the Player of the Tournament. He showcased great form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well, scoring at a strike rate over 120 while averaging 49. "When Saurabh bhaiya came as secretary, a lot of things changed. Whoever had to get certain positions got them. A lot of things were good, and we also won. My domestic season also went well personally," he says.

Even as he worked through the domestic grind, the bigger picture was never out of sight. A conversation with MS Dhoni stayed with him through the season. "This year I spoke to Dhoni bhaiya also. 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."

If the performances have strengthened his case, the years spent within IPL setups have quietly shaped his game. From learning how to navigate different match situations as a batter to understanding the nuances of bowling in the Powerplay, Roy's education has been constant even when opportunities weren't. "A lot of small things," he says on the learnings he had from the IPL. "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."

That adaptability could prove crucial at a franchise like Kolkata Knight Riders, who are grappling with injury concerns. That could eventually prove to be a blessing in disguise for the 27-year-old's chances, as the side needs someone who can contribute with both bat and ball, especially in Harshit Rana's absence. That also means that keeping his place in the XI will require him to deliver in more than just one skill. "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 focused on all this. I've seen over the years that just bowling won't be enough. I need to score with the bat as well."

In all these years with KKR and MI previously, Roy also had a lot to learn from his teammates, especially on the bowling front. Conversations with the likes of Narine, Chakaravarthy, and Krunal Pandya have added layers to both his bowling and tactical awareness. "I've learnt from Varun bhai about backspin," he says. "With Narine, I learnt how to get the arm ball to swing well. With Krunal, I spoke about the yorker. He bowls a really good yorker, so he told me about that. So I learnt from him about when to hold the cross seam and when to bowl a yorker with the seam. 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. I've got to learn something from everyone I've spoken to."

At 27, Roy is no longer the young prospect learning the ropes, nor is he the fringe player content with being part of the setup. "I've been waiting for years to do this," Roy says. The pieces, slowly but surely, seem to have fallen into place. Whether that translates into performances at this level remains to be seen. But 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.