Tristan Stubbs delivered when it mattered most to steer Delhi Capitals to their third victory of the 2026 Indian Premier League season at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 176, the visitors were quickly under pressure after Pathum Nissanka, Karun Nair and Sameer Rizvi were dismissed within a span of three overs, leaving DC reeling. From there, Stubbs steadied the innings and ensured the chase stayed alive, ultimately guiding his side to a successful finish.
Early collapse puts DC on the back foot
Delhi Capitals entered the match fresh off consecutive defeats, having lost their previous two outings against Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. With the top order falling early, it looked like another difficult evening was in store. However, once Stubbs found his rhythm, the complexion of the game changed.
- DC were chasing 176 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Pathum Nissanka, Karun Nair and Sameer Rizvi were dismissed in three overs, leaving the chase in trouble.
- Before this match, Delhi had suffered back-to-back losses versus Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.
Stubbs and Rahul rebuild the innings
Stubbs played the role of stabiliser, sharing responsibility with KL Rahul, who struck at the faster end of the chase. Together, they added 69 runs, with Rahul scoring 57 from 34 balls, forming the backbone of DC’s recovery after the early setbacks.
While Stubbs appeared quiet for much of his knock, he made a decisive impact in one of the toughest stretches of the innings. The turning point came in the 18th over, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had already struck three times for very few runs. At that stage, DC required 37 runs off the remaining 18 balls. Stubbs responded immediately—smacking a six off Bhuvneshwar on the fourth delivery of the over—which injected fresh energy into the chase.
- Stubbs and KL Rahul stitched a 69-run partnership.
- KL Rahul scored 57 off 34 balls during the rebuild.
- In the 18th over, DC needed 37 from 18 deliveries.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar was bowling after taking three wickets for very few runs.
- Stubbs hit a six off the fourth ball of the 18th over to keep the chase moving.
Late overs swing it—Miller finishes strongly
After the momentum boost, Stubbs kept the pressure on as the chase entered its final phase. In the 19th over, he struck Rasikh Dar for a four, ensuring Delhi did not lose the thread. With the required runs under control, David Miller then took charge in the closing over, smashing two sixes and a four to help DC complete their third win.
- Stubbs struck a four off Rasikh Dar in the 19th over.
- David Miller struck two sixes and a four in the last over to finish the chase.
- With the early wickets, the innings later steadied and culminated in DC’s successful pursuit.
Stubbs’ post-match thoughts: staying calm, backing the plan
Receiving the Man of the Match award for his unbeaten 60 off 47 balls, Stubbs admitted the chase had been demanding and required a lot of effort. He explained that when he came in, he was not fully set initially, but focused on watching the ball and settling into the role.
He also detailed his mindset during the powerplay, saying he came in early and believed he could take a bigger share of strike in the final part of the opening phase. Stubbs credited KL Rahul for playing well, adding that he decided to keep giving Rahul the advantage in the middle.
Stubbs further said that even as the asking rate rose late in the chase, he never felt the momentum was slipping away. He described a belief that the required runs could be found in the last over, even though he did not know exactly how it would unfold—before pointing to Miller as the man most capable of delivering in those moments.
- Stubbs said that at his entry point, he was not fully ready in the changing room, so he focused on watching the ball and adjusting from there.
- He noted he came in early and believed he could take the attack in the final two overs of the powerplay.
- Stubbs said KL Rahul ended up facing most of the balls and “played great shots,” helping maintain momentum.
- He mentioned the pitch was not spinning much but was “a little slow and low,” aligning with what he experiences at home.
- Despite the asking rate climbing in the closing overs, he kept thinking about hitting three sixes to bring the chase back into range.
- He said he always considered that the last over could provide whatever was needed, but he did not want to force it too early.
- Stubbs added that he trusted Miller to finish, describing it as “his bread and butter.”
