New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for Rs 2 crore at the ongoing IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, marking his first-ever IPL contract.
Duffy entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore and was picked up by RCB during the accelerated rounds for capped fast bowlers. He had gone unsold in previous auctions but finally found an IPL franchise this time around.
First IPL deal, no appearances yet
Despite being a regular in New Zealand’s white-ball setup, Duffy is yet to make an IPL appearance. As a result, he has no IPL statistics to his name so far, making IPL 2026 a potential debut season for the right-arm pacer.
Strong international credentials
Duffy arrives with an impressive international reputation. He is currently ranked second in the ICC T20I bowling rankings and has enjoyed a prolific run in the shortest format. In 38 T20I matches, he has picked up 53 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.06, underlining his effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.
What Duffy brings to RCB
By securing Duffy for Rs 2 crore, RCB add a high-quality international fast bowler with proven T20 credentials to their squad. His signing strengthens RCB’s pace-bowling options as they build depth ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
With this move, Jacob Duffy will be aiming to make his IPL debut and translate his international form onto the league’s biggest stage.