“Comforting for us coaches, exciting for fans” - Andy Flower on RCB’s overseas contingent for IPL 2026

RCB had eight slots to fill at the IPL 2026 Auction, two of which were reserved for overseas players. The think-tank made two big foreign signings in Jacob Duffy (INR 2 Cr) and Jordan Cox (INR 75L), both of whom have proven to be game-changers in recent times.

Head coach Andy Flower, in a video released on RCB’s social media channels, delved deep into the rationale behind signing Cox, who had a standout season in the Men’s Hundred 2025 competition where he scored 367 runs at a strike rate of 173 - finishing as the Player of the Tournament.

Speaking on how Jacob Bethell - who was retained - and Cox will infuse strength into RCB’s batting unit, Flower said, “It's great to get that overseas talent backing up some of the extraordinary overseas talent that came through for us last year. So to have Cox and Bethell as batsmen waiting for their chance is a great place to be in. We know Bethell's class, and Cox, who's had an outstanding 12 months with a bat, is a great utility player.”

He further added, “He can bat anywhere in the order. He's a keeper batter as well. And if he gets in the field, he's one of the best fielders in the world. So very exciting talent, and great to have batsmen of that class waiting for their chance.”

Flower then switched his focus onto the bowling unit, reserving special praise for Sri Lankan Nuwan Thushara, who was retained ahead of the auction. He said, “On the bowling front, we saw what Nuwan Thushara could do for us last year when he got his one chance at Lucknow. He helped us win a hugely important game to help us qualify in the top two. And we know what he can do both with the new ball and with that low slingy yorker and slower ball bowling that he offers as a package.”

The RCB head coach then offered crucial insight into why the think-tank signed Duffy, as he mentioned, “Today's recruitment of Jacob Duffy is really exciting. He's the number one ranked seamer in T20 international cricket at the moment and he looks like quite a prospect. He's an attacking bowler in powerplay and he's got good pedigree at the death even though he's quite new into international cricket.”

He concluded, “So we're really excited to have him backing up Josh Hazlewood. That sort of exciting overseas talent will be comforting for us as coaches to have in reserve but very exciting for our fans to watch when they get the chance to perform.”