New Zealand medium-fast bowler Jacob Duffy’s IPL 2026 team is one of the most debated topics in world cricket right now. The much-awaited mini-auction is set to take place on December 15 in Abu Dhabi and will have the presence of talented cricketers.

Jacob Duffy in IPL 2026 Auction

Duffy will enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction at his base price of INR 2 crore and is expected to generate significant interest from franchises looking for an overseas pacer. Let’s take a look at the reasons behind Jacob Duffy drawing attention and a few franchises that could target him in the auction.

Jacob Duffy’s Impressive Form Sets Him Up Nicely for IPL 2026 Auction

Jacob Duffy in IPL 2026 auction could begin the bidding war among a few of the franchises. It’s due to his terrific form in the international circuit for the Black Caps across all formats. The icing on the cake is that he is placed second on the ICC T20I bowling rankings.

Jacob Duffy gets the breakthrough! West Indies 100/4 after 43 overs.

Watch play LIVE and free in NZ with TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ 📺 #NZvWIN pic.twitter.com/biXz5sTWuc

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 3, 2025

Duffy’s T20I stats read 53 wickets in 38 appearances at a sublime average of 17.05 and a terrific economy of 7.36. He was the finest bowler in the recent five-match T20I series against West Indies with 10 scalps at an economy of 6.72.

Duffman’s first Test 5fer by the numbers 😮‍💨#NZvWIN | 📸 @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/Qu5UgwqnvL

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 4, 2025

Jacob Duffy’s best figures of 4/14 came against Pakistan in August 2025, where he displayed terrific seam representation with the new ball. He was able to extract swing and consistently bowled in the area of uncertainties to secure crucial breakthroughs. Meanwhile, his good length deliveries with optimum pace were enough to unsettle the batters in the death overs. When talking about his overall T20 record, the New Zealand medium fast bowler has picked up 178 wickets in 156 matches at an economy of 8.35.

Jacob Duffy ran through the West Indies batting with his maiden five-wicket haul 🙌#WTC27 | #NZvWI 📝: https://t.co/1W0563ctBn pic.twitter.com/gosaqfx7ct

— ICC (@ICC) December 3, 2025

Jacob Duffy’s IPL 2026 team will also secure all-format capabilities from Jacob Duffy. He has bagged 35 wickets in 19 ODIs at an economy of 5.90. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old has gained attention due to his supreme form in his debut Test series against the West Indies, where he picked up 10 wickets in two games. On lively surfaces like Wankhede Stadium and Mullanpur, Duffy could be extracting pace and bounce like the recently completed Test series.

Which Teams Could Bid for Jacob Duffy in IPL 2026 Auction?

#1 Kolkata Knight Riders

The Kolkata-based franchise released overseas pacers Anrich Nortje and Spencer Johnson ahead of the mini-auction. Moreover, they also let go of Chetan Sakariya, and all-rounder Andre Russell has also retired from IPL. KKR will be in serious need of an experienced pacer, who will be deadly with the new as well as the old ball. The trade of Jacob Duffy in IPL 2026 auction could help them fill the gaps in the bowling department. With a whopping 64.3 crore purse remaining, they will go all out to bolster their bowling department.

With the young pacers like Harshit Rana and Umran Malik managing death overs, Jacob Duffy could be used in the powerplay to secure breakthroughs and put the opposition under pressure. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane can also save a solitary over of the New Zealand medium fast bowler for the death overs.

#2 Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The defending champions could also bid for Jacob Duffy in IPL 2026 auction. The biggest reason is uncertainty around Josh Hazlewood’s fitness. The Australian pacer, who picked 22 wickets last year, has recently sustained multiple injuries. Moreover, RCB has also released Lungi Ngidi ahead of the event.

Duffy gets number two for the day!

Watch play LIVE and free in NZ with TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ 📺 #NZvWIN pic.twitter.com/x1TOmHvmYY

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 5, 2025

The current pace bowling lot consists of Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Nuwan Thushara. However, only Bhuvneshwar exudes confidence with his experience and track record in the cash-rich league. With Bhuvneshwar and Yash handling new-ball duties, the onus will be on Duffy to take consistent wickets in the middle overs and also put the opposition under pressure in the death overs. The 6’8″ tall pacer could be potent with his ability to contain the opposition in all phases of the game.

#3 Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad could be Jacob Duffy’s IPL 2026 team, given the franchise has traded Mohammed Shami to the Lucknow Super Giants. The present lineup has the presence of Cummins, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, and Eshan Malinga.

First Test Match in New Zealand AND a five-wicket-bag. A great Wednesday afternoon for Jacob Duffy 🔥#NZvWIN pic.twitter.com/vttxT40gYc

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 3, 2025

However, only two of them are definite starters in Cummins and Patel, who were the chief wicket-takers in IPL 2025. The three overseas slots are fixed with Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Cummins, and the fourth one will be for an all-rounder or an experienced pacer. As a result, Duffy could find a place in SRH’s roster and could be their new-ball pacer in the absence of Shami, who served the same role in the last season. With Cummins and Patel handling the death overs, the New Zealand medium fast bowler would have a clear game plan, which can benefit the franchise.