Pranab Roy is a former Indian cricketer who represented India in Test cricket during the 1980s. A right-handed opening batsman, he played first-class cricket primarily for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. He is the son of Pankaj Roy, the celebrated Indian opener of the 1950s, and the father-son pair is among the few in Indian cricket history to have both played Test cricket for the country.
| Full name | Pranab Roy |
|---|---|
| Role | Opening batsman |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Country | India |
| Domestic team | Bengal |
| Family | Son of Pankaj Roy (Test cricketer) |
Pranab Roy was born into a cricketing family in Kolkata, West Bengal. His father, Pankaj Roy, was one of India's foremost openers in the 1950s and held, along with Vinoo Mankad, the world record for the highest opening partnership in Test cricket for several decades. Growing up in this environment, Pranab took to opening the batting and developed his game through Bengal's domestic cricket structure.
Roy played first-class cricket for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. As an opener, he was a regular feature of the side during the late 1970s and 1980s, contributing to Bengal's campaigns in the national first-class competition. His consistent run-scoring at the domestic level earned him selection to the national side.
Pranab Roy made his Test debut for India during the 1981–82 home season. His Test appearances were limited, but his selection was significant in continuing the family's presence in Indian Test cricket, making the Roys one of the rare father-son duos to have worn India's Test cap.
Beyond his individual record, Pranab Roy is remembered as part of a notable cricketing lineage in Indian sport. The Roy family's contribution to Bengal cricket, spanning two generations, reflects the strong regional tradition of producing Test-quality openers. After his playing career, he has remained associated with Indian cricket in coaching and selection roles at various levels.