Anukul Roy

The slow left-armer finished as the joint leading wicket-taker in a victorious campaign for India under-19s in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018, picking up 14 wickets from just six games at a remarkable average of 9.07. His all-round ability was on display in the semifinal against Pakistan, where his handy cameo under pressure hinted at the batting potential he possessed alongside his bowling.

Hailing from Samastipur in Bihar, Anukul Roy had to shift to Jharkhand to chase better cricketing opportunities, and his journey to the World Cup wasn’t straightforward. A stress-related ankle injury ruled him out of the Under-19 Challenger Trophy and the Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, but strong performances on the England tour were enough to convince Rahul Dravid that he deserved a spot on the flight to New Zealand. A left-arm spinner and left-handed batter, Anukul has often drawn comparisons with Ravindra Jadeja, not just for his skillset but also for his energy on the field and sharp throwing arm.

After being picked up by Mumbai Indians in 2018, Anukul had to wait for opportunities, but it was with Kolkata Knight Riders that he began to carve out a role for himself. Though his overall IPL numbers remain modest - 11 matches and 6 wickets up to the 2025 season - they don’t fully reflect his value as a containing bowler who can quietly build pressure. However, with established names like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy occupying primary spin roles, Anukul has often found himself on the fringes, used more as a tactical option rather than a first-choice pick.