JP Duminy predicts Tristan Stubbs will impress in SA20 after World Cup snub
Tristan Stubbs’ shocking omission from South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad left the cricketing world stunned, but former Proteas great JP Duminy has backed the Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain to respond in the best possible way—through his performances in the ongoing SA20. Despite leading his franchise to the top of the points table, Stubbs faces the disappointment of missing out on the global showpiece event, with Jason Smith being preferred ahead of him.
Most notable omission from T20 World Cup squad
When South Africa announced their T20 World Cup squad, the most notable omission was Tristan Stubbs. In 42 T20I matches, Stubbs has scored 822 runs. He is also the captain of the SA20 team Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who are currently leaders on the points table.
Stubbs, 25, has been rated as one of the most exciting young batters in the cricketing world and has slowly become a mainstay in all formats for South Africa, as well as being a proven finisher for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
But his recent lean run in T20Is meant Jason Smith was picked ahead of him for the T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Despite the surprising omission, Stubbs has excelled as a captain for the first time in the SA20 league, though his run tally stands at just 28 runs in five games.
JP Duminy backs Stubbs to shine in SA20
South African great JP Duminy backed Stubbs to do amazing things in the ongoing tournament, emphasizing the opportunity he has to shift focus and lead through performance.
“Again, I think it’s a great opportunity to shift focus. There’s no doubt there’d be disappointment for him. He’s been part of pretty much all formats for a period of time, and to miss out would be really disappointing for him. But I think the opportunity from a leadership standpoint is that it shifts focus onto other people and other teams,” Duminy said in a session facilitated by SA20.
“It’s great to see him in that leadership role. I think he’s got great leadership qualities, and the leadership quality that stands out for me—and I know he hasn’t put in major performances just yet. But he’s certainly somebody who comes to mind as leading through performance. Like, follow me, I’ll show you the way, and that’s a great leadership quality to have. I have no doubt that he’ll do some amazing stuff in this SA20.”
Ready for World Cup call if opportunity arises
Duminy also felt Stubbs would be ready to fire with the bat if a chance to come in as a replacement player arises in next month’s mega event.
“Hopefully, if an opportunity arises, we’ve often seen in times past where injuries occur. We’ve certainly seen it as a South African team as well. Obviously, there are some last-minute call-ups, and he certainly wants to give himself the best chance to make sure he’s ready for that, if any,” he said.
The former South African all-rounder’s comments suggest that while Stubbs may have missed out on initial selection, his leadership and performances in the SA20 could keep him in contention for a potential call-up should injuries or form issues affect the squad.
With Stubbs leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape from the front as captain, all eyes will be on whether he can convert his leadership qualities into match-winning performances with the bat in the remaining SA20 fixtures.