Tristan Stubbs admitted he was completely outfoxed by Kuldeep Yadav during India’s match, despite having faced the Delhi Capitals spinner many times in practice. The South African was on 49 off 113 balls when Kuldeep bowled a perfectly flighted delivery off the first ball of a new spell, causing Stubbs to misjudge the drift and edge it to first slip, where KL Rahul took a straightforward catch.

“I have faced him quite a few times. This was the first ball of his new spell and I think the best one he has bowled,” Stubbs said after the day’s play.

Explaining his dismissal, Stubbs credited Kuldeep for setting him up. “From my angle, it sort of beat me in the drift, that’s sort of why my hands got away. It was just the drift and my hands sort of following it. On a day one wicket, that’s probably how he’s trying to get you out, and for him to bowl that first ball of his spell like that, I thought it was quite impressive.”

Stubbs also recalled a playful exchange with Kuldeep, who reminded him that he has bowled enough in the nets. “We’ve always chirped each other that he hasn’t often bowled to me, and then today he walked past and said, ‘You can’t say I don’t bowl to you anymore.’ But I have faced him enough, and if I had to think about him before the series, on a good wicket, how would he get you out? It’s probably exactly what he’s done—using drift, angling, and minimal spin.”

A specialist middle-order batsman, Stubbs was promoted to No. 3 by head coach Shukri Conrad. He said the shift required more mental adjustment than technical changes.

“It’s not the easiest thing moving around, but whatever the coach asks, I’m happy to be in the team. I have worked a lot on my defense as I had been a white-ball player, and then being asked to go in at number three, I grafted hard on defense. At number three, you can afford to be a little more defensive,” he explained.

Stubbs added, “The change is not so much technical, but more mental, tightening your game plan, especially if the ball is doing a bit, and checking your scoring options.”

Stubbs also commented on the wicket at Barsapara, noting it is better for surviving difficult conditions, though it doesn’t allow free-flowing strokeplay.

“I definitely think it’s a better wicket for batting. You can bat time, but the scoreboard doesn’t move quickly. The seamers bowled straight lines and attacked the stumps, containing us. We all had opportunities, but no one really capitalized, so we can take that blame on ourselves,” he added.

(By PTI Inputs)