Josh Hazlewood’s RCB replacement fixed- IPL 2026 potential debutants

Debashis Sarangi

Duffy might make IPL debut for Kohli's RCB [Source: AFP, @laurenBellEng/X]Duffy might make IPL debut for Kohli's RCB [Source: AFP, @laurenBellEng/X]

The IPL 2026 auction completed on December 16, with ten IPL franchises filling the gaps in their respective squads with strategic signings. While Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas player in the IPL auction history, the likes of Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma and Liam Livingstone also raised eyebrows by securing lucrative deals. 

Some IPL franchises already have a settled core, while some might tweak their IPL playing XIs significantly. As the mini auction has concluded, here are four players who are poised for IPL debuts after showcasing red-hot form in T20 cricket. 

R Smaran - Sunrisers Hyderabad

Criterion
Data
Innings7
Runs319
Average63.80
Strike Rate158.71

(R Smaran's SMAT stats)

  • Ravichandran Smaran had a breakthrough domestic season, showcasing his batting prowess in white-ball cricket. The swashbuckling southpaw emerged as a consistent performer for Karnataka, amassing 319 runs at an average of 63.80 and a strike rate of 158.71. 
  • Smaran is someone who scores runs on a consistent basis with proper cricketing shots. However, despite joining Sunrisers Hyderabad as a replacement player for Adam Zampa in the IPL 2025, the left-handed batter couldn't get a game, thanks to SRH's star-studded batting lineup. 
  • Although most of the SRH batters came out with all guns blazing in the IPL 2025, questions were raised on Nitish Kumar Reddy's form, as the right-hander could accumulate only 182 runs at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 118.95. Overall, Reddy hasn't had a great time with the bat in recent times, which is why we expect the in-form Smaran to enter the SRH XI and make his IPL debut in the 2026 season. 

Jacob Duffy - Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Criterion
Data
Innings20
Runs35
Average15.09
Strike Rate12.11
Economy7.47

(Jacob Duffy's T20I record in 2025)

  • Ace New Zealand speedster Jacob Duffy enjoyed stellar success in T20I cricket in 2025, scalping 35 wickets in just 20 innings at a magnificent strike rate of 12.11. He was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at a price of INR 2 crores. 
  • He can move the new ball up front and trouble the batters with his ability to hit the deck hard. Duffy is a like-for-like replacement for Josh Hazlewood, who has had frequent injury setbacks of late. 
  • Considering Hazlewood's injury layoffs, Jacob Duffy is expected to make his IPL debut for RCB in the 2026 season if the defending champions decide to manage the former's workload. 

Pathum Nissanka - Delhi Capitals

Criterion
Data
Innings24
Runs869
Average37.78
Strike Rate158

(Pathum Nissanka's record in T20 cricket in 2025)

  • Sri Lankan batter Pathum Nissanka oozed his class, exhibiting remarkable consistency in the shortest format. Delhi Capitals secured his services in the IPL mini auction at a price of INR 4 crores. 
  • While his T20I career took an upward turn, courtesy of an aggressive approach, Nissanka also showed sublime form in the ILT20 2025. 
  • Given that Delhi Capitals released Jake Fraser-McGurk and Faf du Plessis, Nissanka's IPL debut seems to be on the cards, especially considering his red-hot recent form. If he is assigned the opener's role, KL Rahul can continue to bat in the middle order, where he struck 381 out of 539 runs. 

Mukul Choudhary - Lucknow SuperGiants

Criterion
Data
Innings5
Runs173
Average57.67
Strike Rate198.85

(Mukul Choudhary's SMAT stats)

  • Young Indian batter Mukul Choudhary was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2.6 crores. He was sensational in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, playing a pivotal role for Rajasthan in the middle order. 
  • The right-handed batter registered excellent numbers in the tournament, as evidenced by the above stats. While Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran form a robust top order, LSG have some evident flaws in their middle order. 
  • Captain Rishabh Pant had a forgettable IPL 2025 (269 runs, average- 24.45), while Abdul Samad blew hot and cold with the bat. In such a scenario, Mukul Choudhary is poised for his IPL debut, as the Super Giants can definitely utilise the in-form batter to strengthen their batting lineup.