He wasn’t the biggest name at the IPL 2026 auction. He wasn’t even the most expensive. But according to veteran spinner R Ashwin, Royal Challengers Bangalore may have just pulled off the smartest deal of the year by signing New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy. “An absolute steal,” Ashwin declared—and given Duffy’s explosive 2025 form, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Just weeks before the auction, Duffy etched his name in New Zealand cricket history with a stunning five-wicket haul in the final Test against the West Indies—sealing a series victory and smashing Sir Richard Hadlee’s 45-year-old record for the most wickets by a Kiwi bowler in a calendar year . Now, he’s set to bring that same venom and precision to the IPL stage with RCB.
2025 wasn’t just a good year for Jacob Duffy—it was legendary. Across all formats, he collected 78 international wickets, surpassing Sir Richard Hadlee’s previous benchmark of 75 set in 1985 .
His crowning moment came in the third Test against the West Indies in Wellington, where he returned figures of 5/42 in the second innings—skittling the visitors for just 137 and wrapping up a 1-0 series win. His pace, reverse swing, and pinpoint yorkers left Caribbean batters clueless .
But Duffy’s dominance wasn’t limited to Tests. In T20Is, he averaged just 18.3 with an economy of 7.1, while in ODIs, his death-bowling accuracy made him a linchpin in New Zealand’s middle and final overs.
In a recent podcast interview, Ashwin didn’t hold back his admiration: “RCB got Jacob Duffy at what price? That’s an absolute steal. The guy’s been unplayable in 2025—especially with the new ball and at the death.”
Ashwin’s praise stems from Duffy’s unique profile: a right-arm pacer who can swing the ball both ways, hit 145+ kph, and execute toe-crushing yorkers under pressure. In an IPL landscape where franchises overpay for big names, Duffy represents high-impact talent at a likely modest price.
“He’s not flashy, but he’s lethal,” Ashwin added. “And in a team with Kohli, Maxwell, and Patidar, you need bowlers who can hold the fort—Duffy can do that.”
RCB has long struggled with bowling depth—especially in high-pressure chases. Duffy addresses several critical gaps:
With Virat Kohli entering his final IPL seasons, RCB’s window to win a title is narrowing. Duffy could be the missing piece in their bowling puzzle.
While Duffy hasn’t played in the IPL before, he’s no stranger to high-profile T20 leagues. He’s featured in the Hundred (for Oval Invincibles), the Big Bash (Hobart Hurricanes), and the T20 Blast (Kent Spitfires)—accumulating over 120 wickets in franchise cricket since 2020.
His skill set translates seamlessly to Indian conditions. Unlike pure pace bowlers who struggle on sluggish tracks, Duffy relies on movement, variation, and intelligence—traits that thrive in subcontinent T20s.
To get the best out of Duffy, RCB’s coaching staff should consider:
If managed smartly, Duffy could become RCB’s most valuable overseas asset in 2026.
Jacob Duffy may not have the global fame of a Rashid Khan or a Kagiso Rabada, but his 2025 résumé speaks volumes. Backed by R Ashwin’s rare public endorsement and armed with record-breaking form, he arrives in Bengaluru not as a backup option—but as a potential match-winner.
For RCB fans dreaming of that elusive first title, Duffy might just be the quiet assassin they’ve been waiting for. Keep up with all IPL 2026 signings and analysis on our [INTERNAL_LINK:t20-leagues] page.
Original Article: Times of India
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