Jacob Duffy's Ascendancy: Analyzing the Impact of RCB's Strategic Acquisition

Jacob Duffy's recent performances have placed him firmly in the spotlight, particularly following his acquisition by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the upcoming IPL season. The New Zealand pacer's form in 2025 across both Test and T20 formats suggests he could be a valuable asset to his new franchise.

Duffy's most recent notable performance came in the final Test against the West Indies, where he secured a five-wicket haul, finishing with 5/42 in the second innings. This contribution was instrumental in New Zealand's 323-run victory, sealing a 2-0 series win. His wickets included key dismissals of Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, and Brandon King, effectively dismantling the West Indies' middle order and securing the win on Day 5. This performance also allowed Duffy to surpass Richard Hadlee's record for most wickets taken by a New Zealander in a calendar year, ending 2025 with 81 international wickets.

Across the series against the West Indies, Duffy claimed 23 wickets, showcasing his ability to consistently perform at the Test level. This performance has also given New Zealand a strong start to their World Test Championship campaign.

Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Duffy's form in a social media post, noting his overall performance in 2025. Ashwin pointed out Duffy's Test statistics, including 23 wickets at an average of 15.43 and a strike rate of 40.3, which earned him the Man of the Series award. Furthermore, Ashwin emphasized Duffy's T20I form, where he is currently ranked number one. In 2025, Duffy took 57 T20I wickets with an average of 18.9 and an economy rate of 7.89, accompanied by a dot ball percentage of 53.1%.

At 31 years old, Duffy's current form indicates that he is operating at peak efficiency. RCB's acquisition of Duffy at his base price of 2 Crore (INR) could prove to be a strategic move, given his consistent performance in both Test and T20 formats. His ability to take wickets and maintain a low economy rate makes him a valuable asset in the high-pressure environment of the IPL. Duffy's performance demonstrates not only his skill with the red ball but also his adaptability and consistency across formats, making him a lethal bowler in international cricket.

Editor’s note: This article was independently written by the Scoopliner Editorial Team using publicly available information.