RCB secures Jacob Duffy in IPL 2026 auction (X.com/@MaticKohli251 & @kohlifiedd_)
Entering the IPL 2026 mini auction, with a purse of INR 16.40 Crores, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured the services of the World No. 2-ranked T20I bowler, Jacob Duffy, for a steal deal of INR 2 crore. Among the many bidding wars at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the New Zealand pacer's addition to the reigning champions has drawn a lot of eyeballs.
Rajat Patidar-led RCB certainly acquired one of the best bargains in this year's bidding. That said, let's explore the importance of the 6-feet-tall player in the squad.
Duffy's inclusion in RCB can curb Hazlewood's troublesome workload management
Aiming for back-to-back trophies, RCB turned their attention to Duffy in the IPL 2026 auction as a potential backup for Josh Hazlewood. Despite having Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara as another new-ball option, the defending champions were keen to secure depth in their fast-bowling line-up, especially given Hazlewood’s uncertain availability.
Josh Hazlewood has been one of RCB’s most reliable all-phase pacers, particularly in the power play, with the new ball.
Hazlewood's bowling stats in IPL 2025
| Category | Value |
| Matches | 12 |
| Wickets | 22 |
| Best Bowling | 4/33 |
| Average | 17.55 |
| Economy | 8.77 |
| Strike Rate | 12 |
As seen in the table above, in the IPL 2025 he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker, averaging just 16 with an economy rate of 7.27 in the early overs. Thus, he remains an integral part of the "Bold army".
However, with Australia’s packed calendar and the pacer’s history of workload management, RCB needed a reliable replacement to balance their bowling department.
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How Duffy could transform RCB’s pace attack?
It is important to note that Jacob Duffy’s recent exploits for New Zealand have drawn much-deserved attention. In the 5th T20I against West Indies, the right-arm seamer produced a stunning spell, claiming 4 for 35 in four overs, highlighted by three wickets in one over, to dismantle the Caribbean top order.
Notably, his victims included Shai Hope, Ackeem Auguste, and Sherfane Rutherford, highlighting his knack for early breakthroughs. Duffy finished the series as the leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets at an average of 12.10 and an economy rate of 6.72, earning him the Player of the Series award.
Jacob Duffy's T20I stats throughout 2020-2024 vs 2025
| Category | 2020-2024 | 2025 |
| Matches | 17 | 21 |
| Wickets | 18 | 35 |
| Best Bowling | 4/15 | 4/14 |
| Economy | 7.23 | 7.47 |
| Strike Rate | 18 | 12.1 |
| 5 Wickets | 2 | 3 |
Not only that, by comparing Jacob Duffy's stats of 1st 4 years of his career to 2025, we can notice that he has dominated the twenty-over format throughout the year and has been in phenomenal form, becoming the second highest T20I wicket-taker of 2025 with 35 scalpes.
RCB’s interest in Duffy stems beyond his stats
Duffy also has the ability to replicate many aspects of Hazlewood’s style. Tall in stature with a brisk action, Duffy extracts bounce and movement with the ball. Thus, troubling batters with fuller deliveries that swing at pace. Moreover, his capacity to deliver three effective overs in the powerplay and bowl disciplined yorkers at the death adds flexibility to any attack.
As Hazlewood’s availability remains in question, securing Duffy assured the defending champions, RCB, of a dependable pace option capable of delivering impact spells when it matters most.
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