Tristan Stubbs opens up on special Gqeberha knock vs India on ‘Mom’s Birthday’

sanjeev

khelja|11-11-2024

South Africa batter Tristan Stubbs revealed the pressure he felt during his match-winning knock in the second T20I against India, especially with his mother in attendance at St George's Stadium in Gqeberha on her birthday.
The young batter, along with Gerald Coetzee, showed remarkable resilience and powerful hitting in the final overs against Indian bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan, leading the Proteas to a crucial victory from what had looked like a losing position. South Africa's win leveled the series, shifting the momentum in their favor and frustrating an Indian side that seemed poised to extend their lead. With 37 runs needed from the last four overs, Stubbs took charge, staying unbeaten on 47 off 41 balls, a knock laced with seven boundaries. His poise under pressure helped Speaking at the post-match presentation, Stubbs admitted the high-stakes situation was nerve-wracking, particularly with his mother and close family watching from the stands. "It was my mum's birthday, 20-30 people came here last night to watch. It gives us momentum to take into the High-held. This is my favourite place to play cricket. I was nervous, so I was trying to control by breathing," Stubbs said.  
  "Fortunately the run rate never got away from us. I had 30 in mind to get off the last three, and the dew came in to help us also. He [Coetzee] came in and said "we can win this." We were always two hits away, the crowd was behind us and it was amazing," Stubbs added. For India, the match was a missed opportunity to equal their longest T20I winning streak of 12 games. With a low target to defend, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy led the charge, claiming a career-best 5-wicket haul to keep India in the game. His spell kept South Africa's middle order in check, but the death overs proved costly as India's bowlers struggled to contain Stubbs and Coetzee's big-hitting barrage. As India gears up for the third and deciding T20I on November 13, they will likely reassess their strategy for closing out games, particularly in death-over bowling. For South Africa, Stubbs' confident knock has provided a psychological edge, while India will focus on reining in their bowlers' economy rates to secure the series.
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