3 reasons why DC trading out Tristan Stubbs to RR ahead of IPL 2026 Auction would be a blunder 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) trade window has often been an under-utilized provision since its inception, with only a couple of memorable moves being made, with the majority falling apart. A perfect trade is practically non-existent, with one team almost always ending up with the inferior hand.

That particular trend might continue with the recent trade rumor, which suggests that the Delhi Capitals (DC) are interested in acquiring Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson, and are willing to offer Tristan Stubbs in return.

During the lead-up to the IPL 2026 mini auction, according to a report by the Times of India, the franchises are close to completing the swap.

"Sanju Samson and Tristan Stubbs are likely to be involved in the first big trade before the IPL auction later this year as both Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are getting close to finalising the deal. With Samson clear on leaving the Royals, both DC and RR have been locked in negotiations and many tradable options were discussed along the way. It is reliably learnt that DC are keen to have Samson on board but were not willing to trade any of their core players," the report reads.

On that note, let us take a look at three reasons why DC trading out Tristan Stubbs to RR ahead of IPL 2026 Auction would be a blunder.

#1 Sanju Samson's multi-dimensional appeal and brand value should not come at the cost of a generational talent

From Delhi Capitals' (DC) perspective, in their pursuit of Sanju Samson, they would potentially be getting a captain, a swash-buckling top-order batter, and a wicket-keeper, all in one. Those have been the three areas where the franchise have struggled in recent times, and there is a need for stability in that regard.

However, DC are not necessarily doing themselves a favor by going all out for Samson at the cost of a player like Stubbs. The South African has been one of the most consistent players in the setup over the last two seasons, performing a difficult role, hovering up and down the middle order.

Stubbs has shown more than enough signs across franchise and international cricket that he can be a top player, provided he is granted the right role in the playing XI. An explosive and versatile batter, a handy part-time bowler, and a gun fielder, all in one, he is a valuable asset, who has massively improved of late.

While Samson's arrival will resolve a lot of DC's issues, at the same time, Stubbs' departure will only lead to the formation of new problems, ones which might be harder to resolve.

#2 DC would miss out on Tristan Stubbs' peak after taking a punt on him when no one did

DC conducted a shrewd deal by bagging Tristan Stubbs for just INR 50 Lakh during the 2024 IPL Auction. It turned out to be a massive bargain as he went on to score 378 runs at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 190.91. The franchise continued to bestow their faith in him by naming him one of the primary retentions ahead of the mega auction, indicating that he was part of the core, and the long-term project.

However, to back away from their committment, that too when Stubbs has only grown in stature since then, to avail Samson, is not a wise move. The South African had an equally good IPL 2025 campaign as well, scoring 300 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 150.75, and has been in decent touch across formats in international cricket as well since then.

Furthermore, he is only 25 years old, and is close to reaching his peak after assembling a solid foundation, and overcoming a lean patch quite early in his career. To do all the hard work, roping him in, allowing him to grow, and to eventually part ways with him just when he is about to be at his best would be a ploy that DC might come to regret.

#3 DC's middle-order will even be a bigger mess to repair with Stubbs gone

Over the last two seasons, Stubbs has been an indispensable part of the DC middle-order, which has had no stability at all. In the 2024 season, he functioned well with Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, while in the next seaso,n he was elevated after DC brought in Ashutosh Sharma as their chief finisher.

Stubbs has been the one element in DC's middle-order that has worked for them. However, with KL Rahul seemingly back to the top of the order, the franchise needs an addition to the middle order, and not a reduction.

Granted, DC have had issues with their top order as well amid Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk's inconsistencies, and Samson plugs that particular hole well, but without Stubbs, they are essentially without a proper middle-order batter in their setup.

DC might find it hard to overhaul their entire middle order in the mini auction, with only Axar Patel as the core. The batters they currently have, like Sameer Rizvi and Karun Nair, do not appeal as reliable prospects, and the team will find it hard, if not impossible, to bring in a player of Stubbs' ability at the auction.

Edited by Gokul Nair