IPL 2024: DC's Stubbs Hailed as 'Baby AB': Rayudu Predicts Greatness for Young Star
Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu hailed DC's young batting sensation Tristan Stubbs after the South African star ended his breakout Indian Premier League (IPL) season with a match-winning all-round performance against LSG at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday. Rayudu backed Stubbs to be as good as the legendary AB de Villiers while praising his all-round prowess for the Rishabh Pant-led team. Stubbs' performances have certainly caught the eye this season, his ability to adapt to different deliveries and execute powerful shots has made him a standout player.
"Tristan Stubbs is an all-round package. He bowls beautiful overs and the way he's been striking the ball this season -- he hits every length from short to fuller. He's also very good against. I think He's one of those South Africans like AB de Villiers, but he's as good as AB de Villiers," Rayudu said while speaking on tv. The young all-rounder scored an unbeaten 57 off just 25 balls with three fours and four sixes at an impressive strike rate of 228.00 against LSG and took the crucial wicket of Ayush Badoni. Stubbs has been the star performer for Capitals (DC) with 378 runs in 13 IPL 2024 matches at an average of 54.00 including three half-centuries and a staggering strike rate of 190.90. His highest score this season was an unbeaten 71.
Two stylish strokes, 1 result 💥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 14, 2024
Tristan Stubbs reaches his fifty in style 🚀
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#TATAIPL | #DCvLSG pic.twitter.com/4DacwQUuFP
Stubbs also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets, his best figures being 2/11. His overall impact on the game has been significant, especially in the death overs. Rs. Bought for 50 lakhs, Stubbs has proved to be an invaluable asset for DC, especially in the latter stages of the innings. In the last three overs (overs 18-20) of this season's matches, he has scored 173 runs off 54 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 320.40, getting out only once and playing just two dot balls. His list includes 13 fours and 15 sixes.
Stubbs leads the league in death-overs with 252 at a strike rate of 262.5, surpassing RCB veteran Dinesh Karthik, who has scored 226 runs at a strike rate of 226 from 16-20 overs. This exceptional performance cemented Stubbs' reputation as a rising star in the IPL and a key player for Delhi Capitals.