From Lumdsen to IPL Stardom: Jacob Duffy Awaits His Turn with RCB’s ‘King’ Kohli

New Zealand’s fast bowler, Jacob Duffy, emphasizes the importance of balancing data with natural instincts in modern cricket. The 31-year-old, who has claimed 53 wickets in 38 T20I matches, shared insights from his career, highlighting the risks of becoming overly analytical.

Reflecting on his interest in data-driven American sports and its influence on his cricket journey, Duffy revealed to PTI: “I admire American sports and their focus on data. My career has been a journey of realizing that diving too deeply into analytics can detract from my natural skills.”

Duffy said that this phase helped him better understand his game, adding: “I’m at a point in my career where I’ve recognized that my strengths, like swing and shape, are sufficient. It’s important to use information wisely, but not to obsess over it.”

IPL Experience and Playing with Virat Kohli

Jacob Duffy was recently signed by the defending IPL champions, RCB, at the 2026 mini auction. Speaking about this experience, Duffy admitted it was initially surreal but has embraced the opportunity.

Recalling his initial reaction to being picked by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 2 crore, Duffy found the experience “weird” yet exhilarating. He expressed excitement about being part of a prestigious team like RCB, backing up star bowler Josh Hazlewood, and sharing the dressing room with elite players.

On sharing the dressing room with Virat Kohli, Duffy expressed his enthusiasm, noting that he’s yet to plan what he’ll say to Kohli but anticipates witnessing the fanfare around him firsthand. “It’ll be amazing cheering for Kohli from the dressing room,” he remarked.

Journey from Lumsden to the International Scene

Duffy also reflected on his roots in Lumsden, a small New Zealand town with harsh weather that made cricketing ambitions challenging. Despite moving to Otago to pursue his career, he cherishes his identity as a “Lumsden boy forever.”

Discussing the upcoming challenges in India, Duffy emphasized preparation over pressure. He highlighted the importance of being ready versus feeling overwhelmed, especially given the extensive preparation available.

Jacob’s journey from domestic cricket to the international scene spans a decade, with competition from fellow New Zealand pacers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee requiring patience. Yet, he believes this wait has prepared him well for international cricket.

Duffy expressed deep gratitude towards Tim Southee for his mentorship and guidance in his early days with the team. Now, playing alongside another inspiration, Matt Henry, Duffy feels he has matured and is ready for international challenges.

Published on January 20, 2026