Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for their shrewd acquisition of New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy, calling the signing an "absolute steal." Ashwin's comments came after RCB secured Duffy for his base price of just ₹2 crore during the recent IPL mini-auction in Abu Dhabi.
Ashwin's Glowing Endorsement for the Kiwi Star
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on December 22, 2025, Ashwin detailed why Duffy represents a sensational piece of business. He highlighted that 2025 has been a "coming-of-age" year for the 31-year-old seamer. Ashwin pointed to Duffy's remarkable recent form, noting he took 23 wickets at an average of 15.43 and a strike rate of 40.3 in Test cricket, which included a nine-wicket haul against the West Indies and the Man of the Series award.
In the T20I format, Duffy's credentials are even more impressive. He is currently the world's number one ranked T20I bowler. His 2025 performance in T20s has been outstanding, with 57 wickets at an average of 18.9, an economy rate of 7.89, and an elite dot ball percentage of 53.1%. "At 31, he's operating at peak efficiency. Absolute steal by RCB to pick him up at a base price of 2C. Sensational coup," Ashwin concluded in his post.
RCB's Strategy at the Abu Dhabi Auction
The reigning IPL champions entered the mini-auction with a specific plan, choosing to retain 17 players from their title-winning squad. They had a purse of ₹16.40 crore, which was the fourth lowest among all franchises. Funds were made available after the release of players including England's Liam Livingstone, South Africa's Lungi Ngidi, and domestic players like Manoj Bhandage and Mayank Agarwal.
RCB's first and most expensive signing at the auction was Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, purchased for ₹7 crore after a bidding war with his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. Iyer brings experience with 1468 runs from 62 IPL matches.
The Challenge of Defending the Crown
Having finally ended their long wait for an IPL trophy, RCB now faces the formidable task of defending their title. The franchise has largely kept faith in the core combination that brought them success. However, concerns remain over the depth of their fast bowling department, making Duffy's acquisition particularly strategic.
Key pacer Josh Hazlewood is managing an injury, while Yash Dayal has not played professional cricket since the last IPL season. The addition of a world-class, in-form bowler like Jacob Duffy at a bargain price provides crucial reinforcement. His ability to bowl with discipline and take wickets across formats makes him a valuable asset for RCB's campaign to secure back-to-back championships.
The full RCB squad now includes stars like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (Captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the newly acquired Venkatesh Iyer and Jacob Duffy, blending experience with fresh, top-tier talent.
