In a thrilling encounter, South Africa’s young talent, Tristan Stubbs, showed remarkable composure to guide his team to a narrow three-wicket victory over India in the second T20I. His unbeaten 47 off 41 balls came in a tricky chase where South Africa needed 125 runs but were struggling against India’s spinners on a low, slow pitch.
Stubbs admitted he was “proper nervous” during the chase, especially with the weight of the situation and his family and friends in the stands. “I was just trying to breathe,” he said, acknowledging that his nerves were high but controlled as he focused on taking his team over the line.
A Special Knock in Front of Family and Friends
This match held extra meaning for Stubbs, as his family had traveled to watch him play, and the day coincided with his mother’s birthday. Stubbs grew up in Knysna, not far from St George’s Park, where he has played much of his domestic cricket. Celebrating this victory with his family made the moment even more special.
“Normally there’s a whole bunch of them [friends and family], probably I reckon 30 to 35 of them,” he shared. “It’s my mom’s birthday too, so it’s sort of a celebration.”
A Crucial Partnership with Coetzee
Stubbs walked in to bat with South Africa in trouble at 33 for 2 and saw the team slip further to 66 for 6, and later 86 for 7. However, a crucial partnership with Gerald Coetzee brought stability. Coetzee contributed with an aggressive cameo, and together they stitched an unbroken 42-run stand off just 20 balls to secure the win.
Reflecting on the tense moments, Stubbs said, “The run rate never got away from us. I had 30 in mind for the last three overs, and Coetzee really came in to support me.”
Battling Against India’s Top Spinners
India’s spinners, particularly Varun Chakravarthy, who achieved a career-best 5 for 17, put the South African batters under severe pressure. Ravi Bishnoi was equally effective, keeping the scoring tight from the other end. Stubbs acknowledged the difficulty of facing such high-quality spin on a slow pitch, admitting that the South African batters were “out-skilled” at times.
“It wasn’t easy to come in and just rotate even, let alone take them on,” Stubbs said. “They are two of the best spinners in the world, so when they’re on, it’s really tough.”
A Breakthrough Year for Stubbs
2024 has been a breakthrough year for Stubbs. In February, he scored a first-class triple century, joining an elite group of South African batters. He also made his Test and ODI centuries, played a pivotal role in Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s second SA20 title, and impressed in the IPL with a strike rate of 190.90 for Delhi Capitals.
When asked about his rapid development, Stubbs attributed it to the experience he has gained in longer-format cricket. “The longer form naturally helps your T20 game and spending time in the middle helps across formats,” he explained.
Looking Ahead
Stubbs’ maturity and calm under pressure are signs of his growth as a cricketer. His ability to handle high-stakes situations, combined with a consistent performance across formats, positions him as a key player for South Africa. With more experience, Stubbs could become a formidable asset for South Africa in international cricket.
