After facing snub from selectors when they picked the initial squad, South Africa’s late entry into the T20 World Cup 2026, Tristan Stubbs created T20I history on February 22 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 game against India, Stubbs became the first fielder (non wicketkeeper) to take three catches in an over in T20Is.
Stubbs achieved the rare feat in the 15th over Keshav Maharaj. Fielding at long-off and long-on, Stubbs took the catches of Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh and Arshdeep Singh.
Before Stubbs, New Zealand's wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay achieved the feat during a clash against Sri Lanka in 2024. He did it off pacer Jacob Duffy's bowling.
Earlier, Stubbs was exceptional with the bat as well, helping South Africa post 187/7 after a set batter David Miller was dismissed at the start of slog overs. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten for a 24-ball 44. He finished the innings with two consecutive sixes off Pandya.
Stubbs continues good run vs India
Interestingly, Stubbs played a similar knock against India in the warm-up encounter. His unbeaten 21-ball 45 went in vain as South Africa managed to post 210/7 in the run chase of 241.
Stubbs to enter 1,000 T20I runs club
Meanwhile, Stubbs is nearing a milestone in the Super 8 stage. The middle-order batter needs 83 more runs to complete 1,000 T20I runs. He will become the 11th Proteas to achieve the feat.
South Africa are scheduled to take on West Indies in their next clash in Ahmedabad on February 26. A win against the Shai Hope-led side is likely to cement their spot in the playoffs.
Stubbs’ T20I record vs West Indies
Stubbs has a decent record against West Indies. From five innings, he has scored 183 runs at an average of 45.75 at a strike rate of 161.94. He has scored a half-century against the two-time T20 World Cup winners.