Gujarat Titans kicked off their IPL 2026 journey with heartbreak in two nail-biters, but they finally found momentum in the most dramatic fashion. On Wednesday, April 8, they edged Delhi Capitals by a single run in a contest that quickly became the tournament’s standout thriller. David Miller looked set to finish the chase after returning from a retirement hurt situation, yet his call to refuse a single on the penultimate ball proved costly. Jos Buttler’s direct-hit at the critical moment ensured the Titans held their nerve, delivering a result that swung on the smallest of margins.
Match result and key numbers
Gujarat Titans posted 210/4 in 20 overs and defended it successfully against Delhi Capitals, who fell 1 run short at 209/8 in their 20-over innings.
- Gujarat Titans: 210/4 (in 20 overs) — Shubman Gill 70 off 45, Washington Sundar 55 off 32, Jos Buttler 52 off 27; Lungi Ngidi 1/24
- Delhi Capitals: 209/8 (in 20 overs) — KL Rahul 92 off 52, David Miller 41* off 20, Pathum Nissanka 41 off 24; Rashid Khan 3/17
Why Gujarat Titans edged it: Rashid Khan’s decisive spell
The difference-maker for Gujarat was Rashid Khan. The wrist-spinner produced a performance reminiscent of his best, finishing with 3/17 from four overs and repeatedly attacking a reliable length. He bowled 11 deliveries in that targeted area and struck twice out of the four-wicket chances he created.
Rashid’s control was particularly influential in the middle overs, and his second strike of the innings arrived in the 10th over. That phase included a fierce googly that trapped Sameer Rizvi for a golden duck, helping Gujarat regain control while defending a total of 210. He then completed the pressure by removing Axar Patel, which pushed the asking rate higher as Delhi moved into the finish.
How Gujarat got to 210/4
Gujarat’s innings began with an early setback, with Sai Sudharsan departing at the start of the chase. However, captain Shubman Gill’s return provided the stability the Titans needed. After enduring a sluggish spell earlier in the season and a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, Jos Buttler looked like his old self in the Powerplay—unleashing his sharpest batting during that period.
Buttler’s 52 featured his signature blows along the ground and also at the ramp. He punished Mukesh Kumar and ensured Axar Patel couldn’t settle either, allowing Gill time to build partnerships from the other end. Washington Sundar justified the decision to bat him at number four, contributing a half-century and strengthening the innings at a crucial stage.
A 104-run stand for the third wicket between Gill and Sundar acted as the platform for Gujarat to push beyond the 200-mark on a batting-friendly surface. Gill’s 70 anchored the charge and set up a competitive total.
Death-overs pressure and the final push
Could Gujarat have gone further than 210? There was a clear path toward 220 or beyond, especially once Gill and Sundar were set. But a 12-ball stretch in the final phase yielded only six runs, and Gill’s dismissal came during that slowdown. Lungi Ngidi’s slower deliveries proved difficult to hit cleanly, and the innings needed a late surge from Sundar to reach the final figure of 210.
Delhi’s chase: Rahul’s class, Miller’s comeback, and the final twist
For Delhi, KL Rahul started with no guarantee that he’d handle the pressure, having entered the match after scoring just 0 and 1 in his previous outings. Yet the early overs didn’t show any signs of nerves. While Rahul did mistime a few shots in the Powerplay, he still found ways to stay in the contest.
Pathum Nissanka provided the early momentum, taking down Ashok Sharma in a sixth over that helped Delhi reach 63 runs in the Powerplay. From there, Rahul appeared to rewind to his 2018 form, striking all around the ground with a mix of timing and intent.
Rahul’s run-a-ball acceleration
- Rahul reached a fifty in 29 balls, showing constant threat even when boundaries weren’t immediately available.
- Despite Rashid Khan’s double-strike, Rahul continued to press, sending Sundar for a six as he kept the chase moving.
The turning point: Miller’s injury and a near-finished chase
Things shifted sharply when David Miller, dealing with a finger injury, couldn’t settle into his usual rhythm. He was forced to retire hurt, and with Kagiso Rabada backing Rashid’s efforts by delivering a couple of solid overs, Delhi’s required rate climbed at the death.
Rahul continued to keep the chase alive, but his dismissal on 92 looked like the moment the contest might slip away from Delhi.
Miller returns—and the chase becomes a thriller
Then came the twist. Miller returned to bat slightly before Rahul’s dismissal and immediately brought fresh ideas to the chase. With 36 runs needed off the last two overs, Mohammed Siraj lost his discipline—bowling too many deliveries in Miller’s scoring areas. Miller capitalised, and a 23-run over tightened the game dramatically.
With 13 required off the final over, Prasidh Krishna struck first, dismissing Vipraj Nigam after a first-ball boundary. Miller launched one shot over the Gautam Gambhir Stand and the match looked effectively over. Yet with only two needed off the last two deliveries, Miller made the decision not to take a single on the penultimate ball—leaving Kuldeep Yadav on strike for the final delivery.
On the last ball, Miller missed a slower bouncer. Jos Buttler then hit the stumps in time, catching Kuldeep short and sealing an unforgettable victory for the Titans.
What’s next for both sides
- Gujarat Titans: They travel north and play an afternoon fixture against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, April 12.
- Delhi Capitals: They begin a South Indian stretch with their next three matches, starting at Chepauk against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, April 11.
