March 16, 2025: As the Delhi Capitals (DC) gear up for their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign, South African batter Tristan Stubbs is looking forward to learning from his compatriot and former Proteas captain Faf Du Plessis. Ahead of DC’s opening match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Vizag, Stubbs expressed his excitement for the season and his determination to learn from the experience of Du Plessis, who is still going strong at 40.
Stubbs, who was one of DC’s standout performers in the previous season, spoke about his readiness to take on any role the team demands this year. He delivered impressive performances both as an anchor and a finisher, scoring 378 runs in 14 matches at an average of 54.00 and a striking rate of 190.00, including three half-centuries. His best score was an unbeaten 71*, and he also took three wickets, showcasing his all-round skills. He said, “Whatever role this team demands, I will be ready.”
On gaining knowledge from Faf Du Plessis, Stubbs noted the immense experience the veteran brings. “Saw him training yesterday, doing sprints. He has so much knowledge. It would be stupid to not learn from that knowledge,” said Stubbs. With 404 T20 matches under his belt, Du Plessis continues to be a key figure for his franchises across the globe, and Stubbs is keen to absorb the lessons from one of South Africa’s best.
Stubbs also praised Axar Patel, the newly appointed DC captain, for his calm demeanor and leadership qualities. “He is really calm. He captained last year in a game and was calm. Bowlers were really chill when he was in control. Hopefully, it is a lot more like that,” said Stubbs. Axar has been a consistent performer for DC since joining the team in 2019, contributing with both bat and ball. With 967 runs and 62 wickets in 82 matches for the Capitals, Axar’s leadership has been lauded by his teammates.
The all-rounder is also a key figure in India’s successes in T20 tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2024. Stubbs expressed confidence in Axar’s ability to lead the team to success, highlighting his consistency and calmness under pressure.
As the IPL season approaches, Stubbs is eager to showcase his skills and prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year. “Whenever you come here, you try to learn different conditions. The World Cup is a big thing. But IPL is hard enough in itself. So no need to look so far ahead,” Stubbs shared, acknowledging the importance of adapting to the challenging conditions of the IPL before focusing on the bigger tournaments ahead.
Since making his T20I debut in 2022, Stubbs has played 35 T20I matches, amassing 670 runs at an average of 29.13 and a strike rate of 134.80, including two fifties. Across 122 T20 matches worldwide, he has scored 2,870 runs at a strike rate of 145.11, with 11 fifties and 11 wickets. With such impressive stats, Stubbs is set to play a vital role for DC this season, and his eagerness to learn from seasoned pros like Faf Du Plessis and Axar Patel will undoubtedly contribute to his growth as a cricketer.
The Delhi Capitals, with their mix of experienced players and rising stars like Stubbs, will be aiming to put together a strong campaign as the IPL 2025 season kicks off.