How DC could dig their own grave by swapping Tristan Stubbs with Sanju Samson for IPL 2026

Why trading Stubbs is a wrong move [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is still a few months away, but the mini auction will take place in December as all ten sides will aim to bolster their squad ahead of the 2026 campaign. Certain teams are also eyeing trade deals with other IPL sides, including the Delhi Capitals.

If reports are to be believed, then the Capitals are set to make their biggest blunder by swapping Tristan Stubbs with Rajasthan Royals captain, Sanju Samson. The franchise is eyeing Samson for the role of captaincy, and for that, they are willing to sacrifice Stubbs in a trade deal.

The move to bring in Sanju Samson will be a masterstroke, but it would come at the cost of releasing their best player by a country mile.

Tristan Stubbs stats for DC in last two seasons

(Stubbs in IPL 2024, 2025)

• As the stats tell, Stubbs has been outstanding for DC in the last two IPL seasons and it won’t be an understatement to say that the South African has been their best player.
• He scored 300 runs in IPL 2025, and had nearly 400 runs in the previous season. Moreover, the strike rates have been well over the 150-mark, showcasing his incredible hitting ability.
• If DC indeed decides to swap him, it would be their biggest mistake as the team will not only lose a incredible batter, but also one of the best finishers in the league.

Why releasing Stubbs could be a mistake

Finishing ability: As witnessed last season, Stubbs finished quite a few games for the Capitals, and that ability to finish off games in a cool and calm, composed manner is rarely found these days. DC does have Ashutosh Sharma as the finisher, but he doesn’t have the same consistency as the South African.

Replacement hard to find: If Stubbs gets snubbed, the Capitals might find it hard to replace him. Quality options at number 5, 6 is hard to find, and this could come as a roadblock for the franchise if the Proteas batter is released or swapped.

Why RR are chasing Stubbs?

Samson reportedly wants a way out of the franchise and RR is happy to let him go. Their biggest weakness last season was not having a solid finisher, and if Stubbs is snatched by the franchise, the team will have one of the best death overs players in the team.

RR lost a plethora of matches from winning positions last season, simply due to a lack of quality finishing options. Stubbs provides the experience and the ability to win games from any situation and hence, RR are interested in acquiring his services.

Final verdict

The Stubbs-Samson swap will be a win-win situation for RR, but not for DC. If they swap the Proteas batter, the team will be vulnerable in the middle-order, and replacing an extraordinary player in the death overs will be a difficult task for them.

RR will get a solid player that will solve their death overs issue, but DC will become weak if Stubbs is let go off by the Capitals.

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