The RCB auction is typically full of excitement, with many top players receiving large sums for their contracts. At the same time, there is always a great deal of speculation surrounding whether RCB has finally cracked the code to success. While there was certainly much noise around some of the larger bidders and name players at the 2026 IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi, RCB made one of its best strategic moves quietly, no bidding battle, and no flash headlines. Only Jacob Duffy signed at his base price of INR 2 crores and was quickly forgotten by all but those who closely followed the action.
Hazlewood’s Shadow, Duffy’s Insurance Policy
Josh Hazlewood’s quality is undeniable; however, it is his availability that has become an issue due to injuries, workload management, and international duties, which have made him more of a luxury item than a guaranteed regular starter.
Enter Duffy, not a carbon copy, but a functional substitute. While he doesn’t possess Hazlewood’s metronomic control or towering release point, he compensates with aggression and intent. Across his last 15 T20Is, Duffy has taken at least one wicket in 12 matches, reaching 50 T20I wickets in just 38 games. That’s a strike rate RCB have rarely had as a Plan B.
Auction dynamics helped, too. With marquee pacers going for premium prices, RCB smartly avoided the frenzy and landed a bowler who can operate in the powerplay, middle overs, and at the death without distorting their purse.
A Succession Plan Hidden in Plain Sight
Josh Hazlewood will turn 38 by the time the next mega auction cycle ends. Bhuvneshwar Kumar isn’t getting younger either. RCB’s pace attack, for all its pedigree, is clearly living on borrowed time.
Duffy offers something RCB hasn’t always planned well for: continuity. While officially signed as a back-up, he has the profile of a potential future overseas spearhead. If he adapts to Indian conditions and IPL pressure, RCB won’t be forced into a frantic rebuild later.
This is roster planning done quietly, preparing for transition without announcing it. Instead of ripping the bowling unit apart at the mega auction, RCB may already have their next core pacer warming up in the shadows.
Peak Form Beats Long-Term Fantasy
Yes, Duffy is 31 years old in IPL logic, which usually triggers hesitation. But context matters. Duffy isn’t declining, he’s peaking. In 2025 alone, he has taken 35 T20I wickets at an average of 15.09 and an economy of 7.07. Across his last 10 matches in all formats, he’s claimed 35 wickets, remaining wicketless only twice. That’s not longevity buying, that’s form buying.
RCB didn’t chase a theoretical five-year project. They invested in immediate impact, aligning perfectly with a squad that’s built to compete now, not wait. RCB’s signing of Jacob Duffy isn’t bold. It should be calculated. They secured a world-class, in-form pacer at base price, solved a pressing short-term problem, and quietly addressed a looming long-term one.
Key Takeaway
RCB didn’t buy a backup; they bought time, depth, and a future option in one move.
FAQs
1. What makes Jacob Duffy valuable for RCB?
His ability to take wickets across all phases makes him a like-for-like overseas pace option.
2. Why is Duffy considered a smart auction buy?
RCB secured a world No.2 T20I bowler at the base price without overspending.
3. How could Duffy shape RCB’s future pace attack?
If he succeeds in IPL conditions, he could become Hazlewood’s long-term successor.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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