The world of cricket stopped on December 22, 2025 Jacob Duffy officially entered the pantheon New ZealandBreaking a record that many believed to be untouchable d adults.
NZ vs WI: Jacob Duffy surpasses the legacy of New Zealand great Sir Richard Hadley
By rejecting the recent West Indian trend at Mt Maunganui During the 3rd and final testDuffy had an amazing result 81 doors in a calendar yearlegendary catch Sir Richard Hadley’s record of 79 wickets in 1985. The feat is all the more remarkable given that it came in a year when Duffy was the ultimate ‘marathon man’ for the Black Caps, bowling more than 154 in the Test series against the West Indies alone. Hadlee’s record has become a benchmark of excellence for four decades, representing the pinnacle of Kiwi fast bowling longevity and skill, but Duffy has managed to find a higher gear through sheer volume and efficiency.
In the final Test of the year, he snared a match-winning five-wicket haul, taking 9 wickets in the match and securing the Player of the Series award with 23 wickets at a ridiculous average of 15.4. Throughout the season, he thrived in the absence of big bowlers like Duffy Matt Henry and Kyle Jamiesontakes charge of the new ball and the old one with equal vigor. His ability to pace and swing in 36 internationals this year has proven that he is no longer just a back-up but a leading man in attack. As he stood at Bay Oval, rewriting the history books, cheers from the crowd recognized the new king of the stats mountain in New Zealand cricket.
| Player | year | Matches | Doors | The best figures | 5-Wkt Shipments |
| Jacob Duffy | 2025 | 36 | 81 | 5/34 | 3 |
| Richard Hadlee | 1985 | 23 | 79 | 9/52 | 6 |
| Daniel Vettori | 2008 | 33 | 76 | 6/56 | 5 |
| Trent Boult | 2015 | 25 | 72 | 5/27 | 3 |
| Trent Boult | 2017 | 27 | 69 | 7/34 | 2 |
| Chris Cairns | 1999 | 30 | 68 | 7/27 | 4 |
| Daniel Vettori | 2004 | 34 | 66 | 6/28 | 5 |
| Trent Boult | 2018 | 27 | 66 | 6/30 | 3 |
| Tim Southee | 2022 | 31 | 65 | 5/35 | 1 |
| Matt Henry | 2025 | 27 | 65 | 6/39 | 3 |
Also READ: Tests ft. Devon Conway & Tom Latham’s top 5 opening partnership for New Zealand
2025 renaissance for Duffy: Global dominance and the challenge of Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Apart from the record numbers, 2025 was a definite breakthrough year for Duffy as he became the highest wicket-taker in world cricket across all formats. His rise began with a brief World No. 1 ranking in the ICC T20I Bowling Rankings after a devastating series against Pakistan in March, where he repeatedly demolished their top order with his signature. He has proven to be a versatile weapon, picking up 35 wickets in 21 T20Is and 21 wickets in 11 ODIs, showing that his craft is effective regardless of the color of the ball or the nature of the pitch.
Duffy’s red ball transition was equally flawless; After making his long-awaited Test debut in August against Zimbabwehe finished the year with 25 Test wickets in just four matches. This incredible cross-format streak didn’t go unnoticed by scouts Indian Premier Leagueleads to a life-changing moment IPL 2026 Auction.
The final champions in Abu Dhabi, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)It has secured the Duffy at a ‘bargain’ price of INR 2 crore to boost battery speed. Josh Hazlewood. Director of Cricket, RCB, You BobatHe hailed the signing as a masterstroke, noting that Duffy’s ability to swing the ball at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will be a vital asset in their title defence.
