Josh Hazlewood RCB - (Source: AFP)
The wait is over and the biggest tournament of the year is here. IPL 2026 is underway with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in match 1 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
For the ongoing match, RCB won the toss and opted to field first. The defending champions named a strong playing XI but missed Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the first couple of games because of injury.
The fans were curious before the match as to who will replace the injured Australia seamer for IPL 2026 opening match and now the secret is out.
Jacob Duffy Replaces Josh Hazlewood In Opening Match
Notably, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have added Jacob Duffy to their playing XI, handing the Kiwi pacer his IPL debut. The right-arm seamer was roped in by the defending champions for 2 crores at IPL 2026 mini-auction.
"We have a couple of new guys. Jacob (Duffy) and Abhinandan are playing their first game," remarked Rajat Patidar at the toss.
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Jacob Duffy had a great 2025 where he picked up 35 wickets in 21 matches, prompting RCB to buy him. He was added to the squad as a back-up for Josh Hazlewood. The time has come and the Challengers have put in their faith in the New Zealand seamer for the all-important clash.
What Will Jacob Duffy Bring To Table For RCB vs SRH?
Jacob Duffy had a great 2025 but struggled in T20 World Cup 2026. Notably, the 31-year-old picked up just three wickets in 5 innings and bowled with an economy of 10.87. Thus, the question arises - why did RCB show trust in Jacob Duffy?
Firstly, the defending champions have lack of options. Not just Hazlewood, but Yash Dayal is not there for RCB because of personal reasons. Hence, Duffy made his debut.
Further, despite a bad T20 World Cup, the Kiwi seamer has a lot to offer. In the training sessions, Duffy practised more 'Hit The Deck' bowling and it seems that he tried to produce what Hazlewood has been trying to do in the past seasons.
Therefore, Duffy is a great addition as his sharp bowling and variations can come of great use for RCB team.
RCB's Playing XI vs SRH For IPL 2026 Opener
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma
Unfortunately, Jacob Bethell, who had a great T20 World Cup misses out and RCB have gone ahead with same four overseas stars - Phil Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, and Jacob Duffy.
Yash Dayal is not there from the playing XI that played IPL 2025 final alongside Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering in Bengaluru.
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