RCB vs DC: Tristan Stubbs surprisingly credits hockey for his success in cricket

Delhi Capitals' South African big hitter Tristan Stubbs has admitted that playing a lot of hockey during his initial years helped him a lot in his cricketing career. 

Tristan Stubbs, who was bought by the North-Indian outfit for just INR 50 Lakh during the IPL 2024 auction last year, has been on fire this season. Except for a few matches, Stubbs has played the role of a finisher from the number 5-6 position very well, and in every match that DC have scored more than 200, the right-hander has always made his contribution. 

How did Hockey help Tristan Stubbs?

While speaking to media reporters after the Delhi Capitals picked up a 20-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at home, Tristan Stubbs revealed how Hockey helped him. Shedding light on his ability to swing the bat and smear the ball away, Stubbs claimed that those basics that he learned were through the game of Hockey. 

In Hockey, the ability to smash the ball with power is very prevalent. It's just that the players have to hit the ball through the ground all the time. In cricket, batters need to hit the ball after it lands and also through full-tossess sometimes. 

Tristan Stubbs claimed that he developed his range-hitting ability through rigorous Hockey drills and also claimed that it helped him become brave. Stubbs also admitted that him maneuvering spinners and pacers is similar to playing Hockey and that the sweep shot actually comes from the sport.   

“I think initially you get the basics from hockey and I practiced them a lot because you know you got to do it, it just takes bravery for it to connect and play through. The way I turn the hands for the spin and seam is like I’m holding a hockey stick, so it must come from there. Both sweeps actually, getting down low I definitely think comes from hockey," Stubbs said in a video shared by IPL. 

If he continues the same kind of form that he has been showcasing in IPL 2024, then Tristan Stubbs will definitely become a starter for South Africa in the T20 World Cup. Stubbs is a part of the 15-man Proteas squad which will begin its ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign on June 3rd against Sri Lanka in New York. 

Tristan Stubbs might get a few games for South Africa in the World Cup as they have some easy opponents in their group. They have been placed alongside Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal in Group D. The South Africans after losing to Australia in the Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final, will first aim to top their group.

South Africa's T20 World Cup squad and schedule 

Aiden Markram (C), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs. Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.

After facing the Lankans on June 3rd, South Africa will face the Netherlands on June 8th, Bangladesh on June 10th, and Nepal on June 14th.   

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