Top 3 IPL Teams Likely to Pick Jacob Duffy in 2026 Mini-Auction
New Zealand bowler Jacob Duffy is in the spotlight ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The medium pacer impressed in the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs as New Zealand won by eight wickets on Thursday, November 13. Duffy took 10 wickets in the series and was named Player of the Series as New Zealand won 3-1.
Born in Southland, Duffy has been strong for New Zealand in white-ball cricket. In 38 T20Is, he has taken 53 wickets at an economy of 7.36, including four four-wicket hauls. In ODIs, he has 33 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 6.06.
Overall, in T20 cricket, Duffy has 178 wickets in 156 games, with two five-wicket hauls and seven four-wicket hauls. He has also played a lot of domestic cricket, taking 320 wickets in First-Class matches and 176 wickets in List-A games.
New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy went unsold in the IPL 2021 auction, where his base price was ₹50 lakh. Since then, he has gained good experience. With his strong form, he is expected to attract interest in the IPL 2026 mini-auction as many teams want to improve their fast-bowling group.
3 teams who should target Jacob Duffy in the IPL 2026 Auction (including KKR)
3. SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH depend heavily on their captain Pat Cummins for pace. Mohammad Shami had a weak IPL 2025 season with six wickets in nine matches before getting injured, although his recent form looks better. Simarjit Singh did not make an impact, taking only two wickets in four matches.
Jaydev Unadkat performed well with 11 wickets in seven games, and Eshan Malinga impressed with 13 wickets in seven games. They are likely to support Malinga as the second seamer. Still, SRH need a strong overseas backup for Cummins. Jacob Duffy fits this role and can strengthen their pace department.
2. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Delhi Capitals have issues with their fast bowling as well. The team depends a lot on Mitchell Starc. Their second overseas pacer, Dushmantha Chameera, struggled in IPL 2025 with only four wickets in six matches and an economy of 11.40.
Duffy can be a better option in this role. Mukesh Kumar took 12 wickets in 12 matches but lacked consistency and had an economy of 10.32. Mohit Sharma also had a tough season with two wickets in eight matches and an economy of 10.28. Duffy can add control and depth to DC’s bowling attack.
1.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR depend mainly on Anrich Nortje and Harshit Rana for pace bowling. Nortje got injured after two matches in IPL 2025, which hurt the team, but he has returned well for the Dolphins with seven wickets in the CSA T20 Challenge.
Harshit Rana took 15 wickets in IPL 2025 but gave runs at an economy of 10.18. Vaibhav Arora was the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets but still needs improvement. Spencer Johnson had a poor season, taking only one wicket in four matches with an economy of 11.73. Since Nortje is their main pacer, Jacob Duffy can be a good replacement for Johnson and add strength to KKR’s pace attack.
