IPL 2026: CSK legend credits RCB scouts for signing Jacob Duffy at auction

Legendary India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was full of praise for Jacob Duffy while commenting on the topic of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who bought the pacer at the mini-auction ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. Notably, Duffy was the only overseas pacer picked by the defending champions at the auction table.

Ashwin's appreciation post for Duffy came briefly after the BlackCaps' cricketer earned the Player of the Series performance in the recently-concluded three-match Test series against West Indies. The erstwhile Chennai Super Kings cricketer underscored Duffy's numbers in both Tests and T20Is and opined that he was an 'absolute steal' for RCB.

"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 POTS [Player of the Series] in the Tests against the Windies. He’s also the current #2-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 [INR] 2 crore. Sensational coup," shared Ashwin in a post on his official 'X' handle.

Check Ashwin's post on Jacob Duffy here

Duffy has been instrumental with the ball for his country in the recent past. He was also recently ranked the number 1 T20I bowler briefly, before being overtaken by India's Varun Chakravarthy. He possesses great skill with the new ball and is able to generate swing while playing in bowling-friendly conditions. Duffy also has some useful variations in his kitty, which has employed while bowling at the death.

Duffy will be one of RCB's eight overseas players to take part in IPL 2026. If the Rajat Patidar-led side intends on playing four overseas players, the Kiwi quick can be expected to feature along with Josh Hazlewood as the two overseas fast bowlers. Hazlewood, who was retained by the franchise for INR 12.50 crore ahead of the auction, will spearhead their pace attack once again.