Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin lauded defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for snapping up New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy at the IPL 2026 auction. The Kiwi pacer has been in outstanding form across formats, highlighted by his sensational nine-wicket haul in the third Test against the West Indies in Mount Maunganui.
Duffy is also currently ranked second in the ICC T20I bowling charts, behind only India’s Varun Chakaravarthy. Despite his stellar performances, RCB managed to secure the in-form seamer at his base price of ₹2 crore during the IPL 2026 auction. Reacting to the signing following Duffy’s impressive Test display, Ashwin wrote on X:
“What a cricketer Jacob Duffy is turning out to be. 2025 has been his coming-of-age year. 23 wickets at 15.43, 40.3 Strike rate, and MOS in the tests against Windies. He’s also the current #1-ranked T20I bowler, with a sensational 2025 in T20s with 57 wickets at 18.9, 7.89 economy, and an elite 53.1% dot ball rate. At 31, he’s operating at peak efficiency. Absolute steal by RCB to pick him up at a base price of 2C. Sensational coup.”
RCB’s New Signing Produced A Memorable 2025 In T20s
Jacob Duffy has had an outstanding 2025 with the ball in T20 cricket. In the international arena, the 31-year-old has claimed a remarkable 35 wickets from 21 T20Is, averaging just 15.08 with an economy rate of 7.47, including three four-wicket spells. He also impressed in England’s domestic competitions earlier this year, picking up a combined 18 wickets across the Vitality Blast and The Hundred from 15 appearances at an average of 23.
With Josh Hazlewood already part of the squad, RCB have several tactical options as they look to pull off the rare feat of defending their IPL title. The franchise could field both Duffy and Hazlewood together in certain matches, with Phil Salt and Tim David filling the other overseas slots, or use the New Zealand pacer as a like-for-like backup for Hazlewood in other games.
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