New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) Since 2018, when Anukul Roy joined the Indian squad that clinched the Men’s U19 World Cup in New Zealand, he has largely remained on the sidelines in the Indian Premier League (IPL). A versatile batter and left-arm orthodox spinner, Roy has played just 12 IPL matches, with four of those appearances occurring during the 2023 and 2024 seasons for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

However, after a remarkable domestic season with Jharkhand, Roy is optimistic that 2026 is the year he secures a permanent position in KKR’s starting eleven. "I am truly excited to play. This year has been positive, and my domestic performance was strong. I believe I can earn my chance this year," he expressed in an exclusive interview with IANS from Kolkata.

Roy's impressive case is hard to overlook for KKR's management. During the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he amassed 303 runs and took 18 wickets, boasting a strike rate of 160.31 with the bat and an economy rate of 7.41 with the ball. He was named Player of the Tournament in Jharkhand, helping the team secure its first SMAT title.

Only Harshal Patel, who scored 374 runs and took 19 wickets in the 2019-20 season, has previously achieved over 300 runs and more than 15 wickets in a single edition of this tournament. Additionally, Roy caught nine catches in eleven matches, making him only the fourth player in T20 history to achieve this unique feat in a single tournament.

He consistently scored over 25 runs and took multiple wickets in the same match on seven occasions, a record matched by only two other players in T20 tournaments. While KKR has primarily seen him as a spin-bowling option, the presence of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine limited his playing opportunities.

Yet, with his batting performances for Jharkhand drawing attention, his discussions with KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar during a pre-season camp in Mumbai centered around his batting versatility. "When I arrived in Mumbai, I spoke with Abhishek bhaiya about my ability to bat at any position. We also discussed my bowling during power-plays and beyond," he explained.

Roy stated that his batting position change to number five significantly influenced his performance. One highlight was his unbeaten 95 off 58 balls against Karnataka on November 28, when Jharkhand was struggling at 105/6 chasing a target of 158, and he helped them secure victory with two wickets remaining.

"This season, I was promoted to number five, which allowed me to play more and influence matches. In that game, I had plenty of balls to play with, even though there were few wickets left. I had opportunities to find gaps and score," he recounted.

"In earlier matches, I often performed well in one or two games, but now I aim to deliver consistently across 7-8 matches. I am determined to contribute significantly to my team to secure a chance in the IPL, and my focus is on achieving that goal," he asserted.

Roy emphasized that while his technical skills were always present, it was the consistency in his application that improved. "I maintained my approach; I could adapt to any batting position. I often found myself in situations where the team had lost several wickets, which taught me the importance of building my innings slowly in domestic cricket. I didn’t change much but adapted my batting to the team’s needs," he said.

As he awaits his opportunity with KKR, training alongside Narine and Chakaravarthy serves as a valuable learning experience for Roy, who aims to enhance his bowling skills. "I learn a lot from them during our net sessions. We discuss strategies and situations extensively," he noted.

Roy believes that his time spent observing from the sidelines and learning from various KKR coaches has been beneficial. "I've experienced significant growth by learning from coaches like GG sir, Abhishek bhaiya, and Chandu sir. Their guidance in batting, bowling, discipline, and mental sharpness has been invaluable, aiding my development in domestic cricket," he explained.

Transitioning directly from the Ranji Trophy to SMAT left little room for adjustment, yet Roy found the process seamless. "It was a smooth transition. We had minimal preparation time after the Ranji Trophy matches, so our fundamentals were already in place, which made adapting to white-ball cricket easier," he shared.

Roy acknowledged the collaborative effort of the support staff and his teammate Ishan Kishan, who played a pivotal role in leading the team during league matches. "It was gratifying to manage the SMAT Trophy for Jharkhand for the first time, and everyone’s contributions were significant," he added.

Many players alongside Roy have progressed to the senior Indian team, including Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Arshdeep Singh. At 27, Roy understands the potential impact of a strong IPL 2026 on his career.

"If I perform well, whether in T20, one-day, or red-ball formats, there’s a chance my name could be considered for the national team. A successful IPL could enhance my visibility, making this season crucial for me," he stated.

Being sidelined can be challenging, but Roy finds joy in others' successes within the KKR squad. "I feel genuinely happy for anyone who performs well. Their success translates to happiness for me, and I believe there’s always someone waiting for their chance who shares that sentiment," he remarked.

His immediate goal is clear: to seize opportunities and help KKR swiftly qualify for the playoffs after missing out last season. "Regardless of my playing time, I want to contribute to the team’s success. Our primary aim is to qualify for the playoffs, and we are focused on winning as many matches as possible," he concluded.

When his moment arrives, Roy is determined to make the most of it, believing that IPL 2026 could serve as a launchpad for greater achievements.

"I feel optimistic about receiving chances this time. I have worked hard, and I am confident that when I do get an opportunity, I will perform well for the team," he stated.