Competition between IPL 2026 Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Friday attracted attention not only for the competition, but also for the two men who were left out of the playing XI – Jacob Duffy and Tushar Deshpande. Both players were part of their teams’ plans in recent games, making their absence a topic of discussion among fans. However, a closer look reveals that these were not injury-related setbacks, but tactical decisions taken based on team balance and match strategy.
Why did Jacob Duffy miss out for RCB?
Duffy’s absence from the RCB lineup came as a surprise, especially considering the impact he made in the early stages of the tournament. The New Zealand fast bowler impressed with his consistency and wicket-taking ability, taking five wickets in his first two matches. His disciplined line and his ability to achieve length and movement made him a valuable asset to RCB’s bowling unit.
However, team selection in T20 cricket often revolves around combinations rather than individual performances. In this case, Duffy had to make way for the return of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar, while clarifying on the decision of the toss, said, “Unfortunately, Duffy missed this game. Josh (Hazlewood) in for Duffy.” While acknowledging Duffy’s strong performance, Patidar stressed the importance of Hazlewood’s experience and skill.
Hazlewood’s return is important for many reasons. He was RCB’s leading wicket-taker during their successful IPL 2025 campaign and has consistently performed well in high-pressure situations across all formats. Although he missed the initial matches of IPL 2026 due to hamstring and Achilles concerns after the Ashes, his full recovery has made him an automatic choice for the playing eleven.
From a tactical perspective, Hazlewood offers control in the powerplay as well as reliability at the death – qualities that are vital in tight contests. His height and accuracy also allow him to generate bounce, which can be particularly effective on certain surfaces. While Duffy had done nothing wrong, the team management opted for a more experienced option to strengthen their bowling attack.
Why did RR keep out Tushar Deshpande?
On the other hand, RR also made a notable change by dropping fast bowler Deshpande. Unlike the case of Duffy, the move was more about rotation and tactical flexibility rather than a direct replacement by a star player.
Explaining the decision of the toss, RR captain Riyan Parag said, “Tushar (Deshpande) rests, Brijesh (Sharma) comes in.” This shows that the team management is carefully managing the players’ workload and also exploring different bowling options.
Deshpande has been a dependable player in the IPL over the years, known for his ability to bowl in challenging phases such as the death overs. 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 in the playing eleven in his place. The 27-year-old showed promise early in the season, including a good spell against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he took one wicket while maintaining control. His inclusion shows that RR were looking to tailor their attack to specific match conditions as well as test their bench strength.
Also read: Who is Kashmira Pardeshi? Meet the viral fan girl of Punjab Kings of IPL 2026
RR vs RCB: Playing XI of both the teams
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Riyan Parag (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Joffra Archer, Nandre BurgerSandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood.
Also read: Aakash Chopra picks the top 5 Indian batsmen against white-ball spin; No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma