IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Friday was notable not only for the contest itself but also for the two omissions from the playing XI – Jacob Duffy and Tushar Deshpande. Both players have been part of their team’s plans in recent games and their absence has been a talking point among fans. However, a closer look reveals that these were not injury-related setbacks, but calculated tactical decisions based on team balance and match strategy.
Why was Jacob Duffy dropped for RCB?
Duffy’s absence from RCB’s lineup came as a surprise, especially given the impact he made in the early stages of the tournament. The New Zealander has impressed with his consistency and wicket-taking ability, scoring five goals in his first two matches. His disciplined line and length, coupled with his ability to extract movement, made him a valuable asset to RCB’s bowling unit.
However, team selection in T20 cricket often revolves around combinations rather than single individual performances. In that case, Duffy had to allow Australia’s fast-bowling leader Josh Hazlewood to return.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar clarified the decision in the toss, “Unfortunately Duffy misses this game. Josh (Hazlewood) in Duffy’s place.” While acknowledging Duffy’s strong performances, Patidar emphasized the importance of Hazlewood’s experience and skills.
Hazlewood’s return is significant for many reasons. He has been the leading wicket-taker during RCB’s successful IPL 2025 campaign and has consistently performed in high-pressure situations across formats. Although he missed the first matches of IPL 2026 due to hamstring and Achilles concerns after the Ashes, his full recovery made him an automatic choice for the playing XI.
From a tactical point of view, Hazlewood offers power play control and reliability at the death – qualities that are essential in tight contests. His height and accuracy also allow him to create a jump shot, which can be especially effective on certain surfaces. Although Duffy made few mistakes, the team management preferred a more experienced option to bolster the bowling attack.
Why was Tushar Deshpande left out by RR?
On the other hand, RR also made a noticeable change by dropping pacer Deshpande. Unlike in Duffy’s case, the move was more about rotation and tactical flexibility than a direct replacement with a star player.
Explaining his decision during the toss, RR captain Riyan Parag said: “Tushar (Deshpande) rests, Brijesh (Sharma) comes in.” This shows that the player’s workload is being carefully managed while the team management explores different bowling options.
Deshpande has been a reliable performer in the IPL over the years, known for his ability to fight through difficult phases such as the death over. However, with a long tournament like the IPL, teams often rotate their bowlers to keep them fresh and avoid fatigue or injuries.
Brijesh Sharma was brought into the 11 in his place. The 27-year-old had already shown promise earlier in the season, including a tidy spell against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he took wickets while maintaining control. His inclusion shows that RR wanted to test their bench strength while also adapting their attack to specific match conditions.
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RR vs RCB: 11th game for both teams
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre BurgerSandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood.
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