Tristan Stubbs has well and truly arrived in IPL

Tristan Stubbs is arguably the only thing that has gone right for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League 2024. With 174 runs in five innings at an average of 58 and a strike rate of 193.3, the 23-year-old from South Africa has forced everyone to sit up and take notice despite the Capitals sitting at the bottom of the points table.

Stubbs was with Mumbai Indians for a couple of seasons (2022 and 2023) but didn’t get too many opportunities. The right-handed dasher featured in only four matches and scored 27 runs at a strike rate of 77.1. With Tim David already in the squad, Mumbai didn’t need the services of Stubbs and the youngster ended up spending the majority of his time on the bench.

Mumbai released him prior to the 2024 Auction, and Stubbs ended up getting a bid from DC, who got him for just INR 50 lakhs. It wasn’t surprising that the Capitals went for him, considering their middle-order (Nos. 4-7) had the worst average (17.5) and scoring rate (7) last season. As a result, they were one of the worst sides in the middle and death overs.

Rovman Powell and Rilee Rossouw were released, and in came Stubbs. The start to the season wasn’t great for the youngster, falling for just 5 off 8 against Punjab Kings. He made an impact in the very next game against Rajasthan Royals. Chasing a target of 186, Stubbs hit 44* off 23 deliveries but didn’t get much support from the other end. DC fell short by 12 runs.

Unfortunately, Stubbs' only duck in the tournament came against Chennai Super Kings, where a brute of a yorker from Matheesha Pathirana undid him. Luckily, Delhi went on to win the clash.  Delhi were hammered all around the park against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, Stubbs managed to hold his own. He registered his first IPL fifty - 54 off 32, but the best was yet to come.

That best came against Mumbai Indians on April 7 (Sunday) at the Wankhede Stadium. Delhi once again lost the match, howbeit, things could have been different if Anrich Nortje hadn’t conceded 32 runs in the final over of the first innings. Batting at No.4 in the 235-run chase, Stubbs slammed 71* off 25, studded with three fours and seven maximums.

He was at his absolute best and somehow kept DC alive in the contest till the start of the penultimate over. There was that scoop off Akash Madhwal’s wide yorker, but it was his hitting through the on-side that was more fun to watch. Stubbs scored 49 runs on the leg side and got those off only 15 balls. 

In fact, 41 per cent of his total runs this season have come through that mid-wicket region. Stubbs got to his fifty off just 19 deliveries, the third fastest for Delhi in IPL history. His power-hitting game has been on point this season, something that he did in the last edition of the SA20 as well.

He scored 301 runs, out of which 214 came at the death, blasting the ball to all parts of the ground with an overall strike rate of 168.2, averaging 60.2. No other batter scored more runs than him in the last phase than Stubbs. And he has carry forwarded that form to the IPL.

In overs 16 to 20 in IPL 2024, Stubbs has thrashed 82 runs off 31 deliveries, going at an impressive strike rate of 264.52. He has smashed eight sixes in this phase. If you look at batters who have faced at least 30 deliveries in the final phase, Stubbs has the best strike rate and second-best balls/six (3.9).

It has taken Stubbs some time to make his presence felt in the IPL, and he would hope something similar happens with his T20I career. He has 13 innings for South Africa in this format but is averaging only 21.72, with just one 30-plus score. 

2024, though, has been different for Stubbs. The man is not only averaging 53.3 after 19 T20s but has also been striking at almost 170. 

The Capitals have lost four of their five games so far and their season could already be over, but one thing is certain: Tristan Stubbs has well and truly arrived in IPL.