Ravichandran Ashwin praises Jacob Duffy for record-breaking performance in New Zealand’s victory over West Indies

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin commended New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy for his exceptional performance in the final Test against West Indies. Duffy’s five-wicket haul on the fifth day of the match led New Zealand to a 2-0 series victory. He took 5/42 in West Indies’ second innings, helping dismiss them for 138 while chasing a target of 462. Duffy also set a new New Zealand record by surpassing Richard Hadlee’s mark of 80 wickets in a calendar year, ending 2025 with 81 wickets. His 23 wickets in the series played a crucial role in New Zealand’s triumph and a strong start to their World Test Championship campaign.
Ashwin praised Duffy’s remarkable year, highlighting his impressive statistics in both Tests and T20s. At 31, Duffy has been in peak form, becoming the current top-ranked T20I bowler. Ashwin also mentioned Duffy’s success in T20s, where he took 57 wickets at an average of 18.9 and an economy rate of 7.89. Duffy’s performance against West Indies earned him the Man of the Series award.
In the final session of the match at Mount Maunganui, Duffy’s stellar bowling led New Zealand to a 323-run victory. Despite a likely draw at the start of the day, Duffy’s crucial wickets, including that of top-scorer Brandon King, paved the way for New Zealand’s win. He finished the match by dismissing key middle-order batsmen and securing the final wicket.