Hemang Badani risky move: David Miller wait, Tristan Stubbs go! How Delhi Capitals head coach's sprint from dressing room to dugout changed the game; watch video

The surface of Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, is not a batting paradise. There is plenty of help for pacers and spinners alike. On April 1, both Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) suffered collapses. In the run chase of 142, DC found themselves struggling at 26/4. David Miller was all set to make his DC debut when head coach Hemang Badani came running down the stairs towards dugout and told the veteran South African batter to wait. Instead, he asked the other South African in the lineup, Tristan Stubbs to join Sameer Rizvi in the middle.

The move paid off as Stubbs absorbed the pressure, calmed down impact player Rizvi who was trying to get the run chase back on track. Stubbs ended up contributing 39 runs from 32 balls in the match-winning record-breaking 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Rizvi.

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“I wasn't fully padded up, had to go straight in. Was simple what we needed, bat time and build a partnership. Rizvi was brilliant,” Stubbs told the broadcasters after the six-wicket win.

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“You're always looking to score but the situation tells you what to do. It was doing a bit, swung for long and seamed. We kept saying keep batting normally and look to score. Rizvi takes on spin naturally, makes my job easier. We knew it was one big over and it's run-a-ball.”

Pathan lauds Badani’s handing of situation

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan termed it as a huge moment in the game. He also pointed out how tricky is to tell a senior player like Miller to not walk in to bat and sending someone else ahead. Pathan lauded Badani for handling the situation well.

"It was a huge moment in that game. Because Badani running in from dressing room, coming down, talking to David Miller. Hold on, wait a minute. I think in these conditions, we need to send Stubbs. He can handle this situation much better, not that David Miller is capable of. But in this particular moment, I think they won at this particular point. Not only that, obviously once you come into a senior guy and say, ok, hold on, you can't go in right now. We are thinking something else. You're going to present yourself in a way where this guy doesn't feel bad, and he managed that," said Pathan.

Stubbs makes no.6 his own

Stubbs has dealt with similar situations. Last year, he shared a match-winning partnership with KL Rahul against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He is embracing the no.6 spot in the side.

“I like No 6, you bat at different situations and try to take the team over the line,” said the 25-year-old.