Royal Challengers Bengaluru [Source: AFP]In a recent development, RCB star Jacob Duffy, who was bought in the IPL 2026 auction for INR 2 crore, was awarded a prestigious title by New Zealand cricket. The pace sensation of the Black Caps, who are all set to feature for the Bengaluru based franchise, was super excited after the reward.Notably, Jacob Duffy had a superb season for New Zealand in 2025, and he picked 25 Test wickets at an impressive average of 16, including three five-wicket hauls in just four Tests, further underlining his prospect to shine in RCB in IPL 2026. A Glorious Year For Jacob Duffy The New Zealand star, who delivered over 150 overs in the three-Test series against the West Indies, bowled more than any other New Zealand bowler, highlighted by a marathon 43-over spell in the first Test at Christchurch. In ODIs, Duffy had been less productive, picking up only two wickets across both the England and West Indies series. His T20I exploits, though, were productive, where he picked 10 wickets in the West Indies series and scalped 6 in the India series while bowling at an average of 31.50. The T20 World Cup campaign, however, was not the best for Jacob Duffy, as he managed to bag only three wickets from his five appearances. Overall in 2025, from 21 matches, Duffy managed to bag 35 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 7.47. Also Read- BCCI Announces Border-Gavaskar Trophy Schedule; India Fixtures Vs WI, SL, ZIM RevealedDuffy Gets Awarded With Prestigious Medal This has led RCB star Jacob to win the ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards, where Duffy claimed the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal. Duffy also picked up the ANZ Test Player of the Year award and the Windsor Cup for men's first-class bowling, becoming one of the few players to win three major awards in a single night. “Jacob’s durability, consistency, and ability to take wickets in pressure moments made him the most complete bowling performer of the season,” said Sir Richard Hadlee. Other Awardees Besides Jacob Duffy Besides Duffy, Amelia Kerr from New Zealand women's cricket also secured an unprecedented fourth Debbie Hockley Medal, as she topped the White Ferns' T20I run-scoring charts with 354 runs at an average of 70, earning the ANZ Women's T20I Player of the Year award. Besides Kerr, explosive batter Tim Seifert claimed ANZ's Men's T20I Player of the Year award, where he amassed 739 T20I runs at a strike rate of 154 and an average of 41. Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell won the ANZ Men's ODI Player of the Year, while Chris Gaffaney was named G.J. Gardner Holmes Umpire of the Year after an outstanding season on the ICC Elite Panel, including officiating the Ashes and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-final between India and England. Duffy To Be Key Pace Attacker For RCB in IPL 2026 Jacob Duffy's accolades will surely give him a confidence boost, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be looking forward to his experience and contribution with the ball in the IPL 2026. Duffy will be featuring in the IPL for the first time, with his experience limited to The Hundred and the Men's Vitality Blast. With pace sensations like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rasikh Salam by their side, and Josh Hazlewood under a cloud for this season, Duffy's inclusion will be an important prospect for RCB if they want to form the core of their pace bowling attack. Also Read- Vijay Mallya Reacts For The 1st Time After RCB Find New IPL Owners
