“Absolute steal by RCB to pick him up at base price” - R Ashwin’s huge claim on upcoming pacer after IPL 2026 auction

Former Team India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin praised defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their signing of New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy at the IPL 2026 auction. The Kiwi seamer has been in red-hot form across formats, with his latest heroics being the nine wickets in the third Test against the West Indies in Mount Maunganui.

Duffy is also currently the second-ranked T20I bowler in the world behind only India's Varun Chakaravarthy. Meanwhile, RCB signed the in-form seamer for his base price of ₹2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction.

Talking about the signing after Duffy's third Test exploits, Ashwin said on his X handle:

"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."

Duffy has never played an IPL game in his career but boasts an excellent T20 record, picking up 178 wickets at an average of 24.33 and an economy of 8.35 in 156 outings.

RCB's newest signing has enjoyed a 2025 season for the ages in T20s

Jacob Duffy has enjoyed a memorable 2025 season in the shortest format with the ball. In T20Is, the 31-year-old has picked up an incredible 35 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 15.08 and an economy of 7.47, including three 4-wicket hauls.

Duffy also thrived in the Vitality Blast and the Hundred in the UK earlier this year, combining for 18 wickets in 15 outings at an average of 23. With Josh Hazlewood already in their ranks, RCB could tinker with their playing XI in several ways as they attempt to complete the rare successful title defense in the IPL.

The franchise could play both Duffy and Hazlewood in the lineup, alongside Phil Salt and Tim David, as the other foreign stars in some matches, or have the Kiwi seamer as Hazlewood's backup option for others.

Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran