Axar Patel & Tristan Stubbs [Source: @akshoor_patel/x.com]
The Champions Trophy 2025 is almost here and cricket fans are gearing up for some intense action. As the top eight teams in the world battle it out for supremacy, certain players have the potential to be match-winners for their respective countries.
Delhi Capitals (DC) have a fair share of those game-changers. While many teams boast match-winners, DC has three players who could be the real difference-makers for their national sides.
We’re talking about players who have the skills, temperament and big-match attitude needed for high-pressure games. These are players who thrive in crunch situations and know how to get the job done when it matters most.
Let’s take a look at 3 Delhi Capitals players who can be match winners for their respective countries in Champions Trophy 2025.
1. Tristan Stubbs (South Africa)
For years, South Africa has struggled to find a dependable finisher in ODIs. Their top order is solid, their pacers are world-class but the missing piece has always been a player who can close out games.
Enter Tristan Stubbs, a fearless hitter with the ability to change the game in just a few overs. Stubbs is not just a slogger, he’s a proper finisher who knows how to accelerate at will and take on any bowler. His experience in T20 leagues, especially the IPL, has shaped him into a lethal weapon for South Africa’s lower order.
Tristan Stubbs ODI Stats
Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 | 249 | 41.50 | 110.42 | 78* |
Why Tristan Stubbs Is Key?
- Explosive Hitter: Can start firing from ball one.
- Finisher Extraordinaire: Brings fearlessness and the ability to clear boundaries at will.
- Big-Game Player: Thrives in high-pressure situations, making him perfect for the Champions Trophy.
2. Axar Patel (India)
Axar Patel is a classic example of a player who quietly gets the job done. His bowling has always been top-notch but it’s his batting that has improved significantly in recent times.
Axar has turned into a reliable all-rounder who can turn the game with both bat and ball. Take his recent performances as an example.
In the three-match ODI series against England, Axar notched 106 runs at an average of 53.00 and a strike rate of 103.92 and also snagged three wickets with an impressive economy rate of 4.76.
Axar Patel Recent ODI Stats Vs England
Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Wickets | Economy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | 106 | 56.00 | 103.92 | 3 | 4.76 |
Why Axar Patel Is Key?
- Reliable All-Rounder: Offers balance to the side with both bat and ball.
- Clutch Performer: Rises to the occasion in pressure situations, like his crucial 47 off 31 balls in the T20 World Cup 2024 final.
- Accurate Bowler: Can tie down batters and pick up crucial wickets.
3. Harry Brook (England)
When Harry Brook is in form, few players can match his ability to dominate bowling attacks. He’s a clean striker of the ball and knows how to shift gears effortlessly.
His recent form against India in the ODI series wasn’t great—just 50 runs in 3 innings at an average of 16.67 but Brook is far too talented to be written off.
His previous performances speak for themselves. Against Australia last year in September, Brook scored 312 runs in 5 matches at an average of 78.00 and a strike rate of 127.87. Before that, he impressed against West Indies, scoring 115 runs in 3 innings at an average of 57.50.
Harry Brook Recent ODI Stats
Series | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike-Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
vs India (2025) | 3 | 50 | 16.67 | 61.73 |
vs Australia (2024) | 5 | 312 | 78.00 | 127.87 |
vs West Indies (2024) | 3 | 115 | 57.50 | 92.74 |
Why Harry Brook Is Key?
- Explosive Batter: Can take on both spinners and pacers with ease.
- Big-Match Player: Capable of delivering match-winning knocks.
- Dynamic Middle-Order Option: Offers England the firepower they need to dominate.
Conclusion
The Champions Trophy 2025 is a tournament where big players make big impacts and DC’s trio of Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel and Harry Brook are primed to do just that. They are match-winners in their own right and if they hit form during the tournament, they could be the difference between success and heartbreak for their teams.