The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 concluded with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully defending their title, capping off another thrilling season of franchise cricket. While performances on the field ultimately determine success, much of that success is often built at the auction table.
Ahead of IPL 2026, franchises invested heavily in strengthening their squads through the mini-auction, with several players commanding significant price tags. However, only a handful of acquisitions truly justified their value and emerged as game-changing additions for their respective teams.
Here are five auction picks that turned out to be masterstrokes in IPL 2026.
Jacob Duffy (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy proved to be one of the smartest acquisitions of the season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Purchased for INR 2 crore, Duffy stepped up whenever RCB needed him, particularly in the absence of premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
The right-arm pacer picked up nine wickets in six matches and consistently delivered crucial breakthroughs with the new ball. His ability to swing the ball and maintain disciplined lines made him a valuable asset in the powerplay. Duffy’s impactful performances helped RCB maintain balance in their bowling attack and played a significant role in their successful title defence.
