RCB’s latest signing Jacob Duffy arrives in the IPL 2026 squad on the back of a historic international season, having broken a long-standing New Zealand record and finishing 2025 as the highest wicket-taker across all formats.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru may have picked up Jacob Duffy quietly at the IPL 2026 auction for a meagre INR 2 crores, but the timing could not have been better and it’s arguably the best buy of the IPL 2026 auction. Just days after being signed by RCB as injury cover for Josh Hazlewood, Duffy capped off a career-defining year by overtaking Sir Richard Hadlee’s record for most wickets by a New Zealand bowler in a calendar year.
RCB Signing Jacob Duffy After Record-Breaking 2025 Season
Jacob Duffy finished 2025 with 81 wickets from 36 international matches, surpassing Hadlee’s tally of 79 wickets from 23 matches in 1985. The milestone came during the home Test series against West Indies, where Duffy consistently ran through batting line-ups and was named Player of the Series.
For RCB, this signing adds immediate value to an already settled squad. Duffy slots in as a like-for-like option for Hazlewood, offering control with the new ball and discipline through the middle overs, exactly the profile RCB prioritised at the IPL 2026 auction.
Jacob Duffy’s 2025: Consistency Across Formats
What separates Jacob Duffy’s year from many others is balance. His wickets were not stacked in one format alone.
- Tests: 25 wickets in 4 matches
- ODIs: 21 wickets in 11 matches
- T20Is: 35 wickets in 21 matches
That spread underlines why RCB see him as more than just cover. He arrives as a bowler in peak rhythm, comfortable across conditions and formats.
Most Wickets in International Cricket in 2025
Below is a simplified comparison of the leading wicket-takers in international cricket in 2025, using only core indicators.
Most Wickets in 2025 (All Formats)
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Five-fors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Duffy (NZ) | 36 | 81 | 17.11 | 3 |
| Matt Henry (NZ) | 27 | 65 | 16.87 | 3 |
| Blessing Muzarabani (ZIM) | 31 | 65 | 27.58 | 3 |
| Ali Dawood (BHR) | 37 | 63 | 11.28 | 1 |
| Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | 25 | 60 | 20.48 | 1 |
No other bowler matched Duffy’s wicket tally in 2025, reinforcing his status as the most productive international bowler of the year. While there’s the Ashes Boxing Day Test pending, there’s no one close enough to surpass his numbers before the yearend.
RCB Squad Gains Depth Without Disruption
One of the key takeaways from RCB’s IPL 2026 auction was squad stability. With most of their best XII already set, the focus was on insurance rather than overhaul. Jacob Duffy fits that thinking perfectly.
RCB Director Mo Bobat described Duffy as a “bargain” buy, highlighting the franchise’s intent to build competition for places without weakening combinations.
“Slightly unusual auction. For us, got a pretty settled team. This auction is about developing the squad. And we need injury covers. We’ve lined up two guys experienced in their own right. To get Venky and Duffy for the price we got, very happy. Duffy is a bargain. For us it’s about strengthening the squad and have competition for places,” RCB Director Mo Bobat told during the IPL 2026 mini-auction to Star Sports.
Jacob Duffy isn’t about extreme pace, but he’s built to trouble batters through discipline and repeatable skills. He hits hard lengths, presents the seam late, and can move the ball both ways when there’s anything in the surface or air. Even in high-scoring phases, his control helps keep a lid on run flow while still creating wicket-taking chances. Add his strong powerplay impact to that mix, and it’s easy to see why he fits the RCB squad, one of the best among IPL 2026 squads.
RCB may not have made the loudest move at the IPL 2026 auction, but signing the highest international wicket-taker of 2025 is significant. Jacob Duffy arrives with confidence, momentum, and numbers that back the eye test.
As the IPL season unfolds, RCB’s depth could once again be a defining factor. And if injuries or rotation come into play, Jacob Duffy looks ready to step straight in without lowering the ceiling of the RCB squad.
