Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said that Anukul Roy’s performance in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will make Kolkata Knight Riders think about how they can utilise his services more, with the allrounder having played just one game in IPL 2025.
Anukul has scored 231 runs in seven innings in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season, at a stunning average of 77, the highest for his team, even more than Ishan Kishan’s 63.5.
Anukul has also picked 14 wickets in eight matches, at an economy of 6.79, which is also the best for Jharkhand this season.
“This man has had a SMAT that will make KKR have a serious discussion around how they can give him a good run of games in the upcoming season of the IPL. Anukul Roy has made 240 runs at a strike rate of (160+) with the bat and 14 wickets with the ball. How many games will he play for KKR this season?” Ashwin tweeted on Sunday evening.
Anukul’s best knock came against Karnataka, where he first picked the wickets of Ravichandran Smaran and wicketkeeper Krishnan Shrijith.
Chasing 158, Jharkhand found themselves at 60/4 after the powerplay, before Anukul and Robin Minz added 30 runs for the fifth wicket. Wickets kept tumbling, but Anukul kept his calm and, while being unbeaten on 95, took his team past the target in the final over.
Anukul picked 21 wickets in five Ranji Trophy matches, at an impressive economy of 2.66. Notably, he played just one match in IPL 2025, against the Delhi Capitals in April.