Name:

Roy, Pankaj

Date of Birth:

31 May 1928

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British India

Date Died:

04 Feb 2001

Career:

Test: 1951 - 1960
First Class: 1946 - 1968

Teams:

India (Country)

1951: Merchant, Hazard grind England in high scoring draw (Delhi)

Pankaj Roy (31 May 1928 – 4 February 2001) was a technically accomplished right-handed opening batsman who represented India in Test cricket from 1951 to 1960.

Over 43 Tests, he scored 2,442 runs at an average of 32.56, including five centuries and nine half-centuries, with a highest score of 173.

Known for his patience and defensive solidity, Roy was a central figure in India’s top order during the formative years of its post-independence Test journey.

He is best remembered for his role in one of the most celebrated partnerships in Test history. In 1956 at Madras (now Chennai), Roy and Vinoo Mankad compiled a then world-record opening stand of 413 against New Zealand, a record that stood for 52 years. Roy’s contribution of 173—his highest Test score—highlighted his ability to bat for extended periods and anchor the innings under demanding conditions.

Roy’s first-class career was notably prolific. Across 185 matches, he amassed 11,868 runs at an average of 42.38, including 33 centuries and 50 fifties, with a highest score of 202 not out. A long-serving pillar of Bengal’s batting line-up, he was regarded as one of the most consistent domestic performers of his time.

Although his international career featured periods of inconsistency, Roy played a significant role in shaping India’s early Test identity. He also captained India in a Test in England in 1959. Remembered for his reliability at the top of the order, Roy helped lay the foundation for future generations of Indian opening batsmen.