The IPL 2026 season commenced with a thrilling encounter at Chinnaswamy Stadium as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) took on Sunrisers Hyderabad. Winning the toss, RCB chose to bowl first and struck early, claiming three wickets in the powerplay. Fast bowler Jacob Duffy, making his IPL debut, dismantled the Sunrisers’ opening pair, immediately putting the Hyderabad side on the back foot.
Abhishek Sharma ✅
Travis Head ✅
Nitish Reddy ✅
Jacob Duffy is on fire on his #TATAIPL debut 🔥#jacobduffy | #RCBvSRH pic.twitter.com/IdkOMYhqHK— Kamlesh prajapati (@Kprajapati111) March 28, 2026
Duffy, from New Zealand, dismissed Abhishek Sharma for 7 runs off 8 balls and caught Travis Head off the very next delivery, despite Head hitting a fine four earlier in the over. His fiery spell set the tone for RCB’s bowling attack, demonstrating why the franchise invested ₹2 crore in him during the IPL auction.
The pacer has been in exceptional form, having played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s runner-up finish at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Duffy also finished 2025 with 81 international wickets, surpassing the 40-year-old record of 79 wickets set by Sir Richard Hadlee, further cementing his reputation as one of the most formidable bowlers entering this IPL season.