Ravichandran Ashwin Praises Jacob Duffy's IPL Debut Performance

In a recent interview, Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Jacob Duffy for his remarkable IPL debut, where he took 3 wickets for 22 runs. Ashwin highlighted Duffy's ability to swing the ball and praised his tactical execution during the match. Looking ahead, Ashwin expressed his support for the Mumbai Indians in their upcoming clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders, citing the team's depth and experience as key factors for success. Discover more about Ashwin's insights and predictions for the IPL season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 29, 2026, 16:56 IST

Ashwin Highlights Duffy's Impressive Skills

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin commended Jacob Duffy for his outstanding performance, earning the Player of the Match title on his IPL debut. Duffy recorded impressive figures of 3 wickets for 22 runs while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Ashwin's Thoughts on Duffy's Selection

In an interview with a sports channel, Ashwin expressed his enthusiasm about Duffy's selection during the auction, stating, "I was likely the first to recognize it as a fantastic choice to fill in for Josh Hazlewood. At that moment, he was the top T20 bowler and had recently taken six wickets in a Test match, showcasing that he is in the prime of his career. His extensive bowling experience in New Zealand has equipped him well for this role." Duffy made a significant impact by dismissing Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Kumar Reddy within his initial 14 deliveries in IPL 2026.

Duffy's Tactical Bowling

Ashwin noted, "What impressed me most was his ability to swing the ball in both directions, although he chose not to do so against Abhishek Sharma. After being hit for a boundary by Travis Head on his first full delivery, he adapted quickly, avoiding that length and focusing on bowling in effective areas. RCB's tactical superiority was evident, and Duffy executed their plans flawlessly, helping to maintain a low scoring rate despite the match featuring around 400 runs, which is unusual for Chinnaswamy Stadium."

Ashwin Predicts Mumbai Indians' Success

Looking ahead to the upcoming match, Ashwin discussed the clash between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. He remarked, "Mumbai has reverted to their successful opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, which previously secured them a title. The team is filled with stars, and I am particularly eager to see how Tilak Varma develops his skills throughout this IPL season. I am backing the Mumbai Indians for this match based purely on cricketing reasons. Their squad depth is impressive, while KKR faces several injury issues and appears somewhat unsettled. They will need their spinners to perform well, but I have doubts about that happening."