“Absolute steal by RCB” - Ravi Ashwin hails defending champions for roping in NZ star player at base price

Former India spinner and analyst Ravi Ashwin has lauded New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy after his exceptional performance in the third and final Test against the West Indies, which propelled the hosts to a 2-0 series victory on Monday, December 22, at Bay Oval. For the unversed, Duffy claimed a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5/42 in the West Indies’ fourth innings. 

Batting first, New Zealand posted a daunting total of 575/8 in 155 overs. Tom Latham (137), Devon Conway (227) were exceptional. In response, the West Indies posted 420 runs in 128.2 overs. Kavem Hodge (123*) was the top scorer. Duffy went on to scalp a four-wicket haul.

In the third innings, New Zealand posted another dominating total of 306/2 in 54 overs. Tom Latham (101) and Devon Conway (100) scored centuries yet again. In the chase, the visitors got bundled out for 138 runs as Duffy scalped a match-winning fifer.

Furthermore, Duffy also went on to create history as he surpassed the former New Zealand pacer Richard Hadlee’s previous record of 80 wickets in a calendar year. With this effort, Duffy finished 2025 with 81 international wickets, setting a new benchmark for New Zealand cricket.

“What a cricketer Jacob Duffy is turning out to be. 2025 has been his coming of age year. 23 wickets at 15.43, 40.3 strike rate and MOS in the tests against the Windies. He’s also the current #1 ranked T20I bowler, with a sensational 2025 in T20s with 57 wickets at 18.9, 7.89 economy, and an elite 53.1 per cent dot ball rate. At 31, he's operating at peak efficiency. Absolute steal by RCB to pick him up at a base price of 2 Cr. Sensational coup,” Ashwin wrote on X.

https://x.com/ashwinravi99/status/2002983580881018955 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) full squad for IPL 2026

Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, Jacob Bethell*, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood*, Krunal Pandya, Nuwan Thushara*, Phil Salt*, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, Romario Shepherd*, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Tim David*, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal, Venkatesh Iyer*, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox*, Kanishk Chouhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Satvik Deswal.

*denotes overseas player.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky365 and download the Sky365 App to start betting today!