Delhi Capitals snapped back to winning form on Monday night, dismantling Punjab Kings at Dharamsala to keep their 2026 IPL campaign alive. The chase and the pressure moments were largely managed by two of the season’s most scrutinised names in DC’s ranks—Axar Patel and David Miller—who combined to deliver their fifth victory in 12 league matches.
Quick facts
- Match: Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings, played at Dharamsala on Monday night
- Delhi’s result: Won the game to stay in the mix for playoff qualification in the 2026 IPL
- Chase target: 211 runs
- Key batting: Axar Patel made 56 off 30 balls; David Miller struck 26 off 17 before accelerating
- Top-order disruption: DC lost Abishek Porel, KL Rahul and Sahil Parakh inside the powerplay
- Lower-order contributions: Ashutosh Sharma 24 (10), Madhav Tiwari 18* (8), Auqib Nabi 10* (2)
- Bowling highlight: Auqib Nabi finished with 0/32 in four overs and sealed the win with late batting
The story began with a worrying phase for both Axar and Miller with the bat. Axar’s batting had been under scrutiny, while Miller’s form had dipped so badly that he failed to even be included in the playing XI for the previous three matches.
Punjab set a challenging target of 211, with conditions described as around 13 degrees Celsius. Delhi looked as though they might fall short early, losing their top three—Abishek Porel, KL Rahul and Sahil Parakh—within the powerplay and leaving the chase hanging by a thread.
Axar steadies, Delhi finds momentum
That was the moment Axar walked in and immediately took ownership of the chase. Tristan Stubbs, at the other end, struggled to get going and eventually fell for 12 off 17 balls, raising the pressure even further because the required rate was climbing.
Axar did find rhythm, but the target was simply too steep for a slow build. He was dismissed against the run of play after a 64-run partnership, scoring 56 off 30 deliveries. Still, his knock breathed life into Delhi’s pursuit and kept the equation manageable enough for a late surge.
With Axar gone, the focus naturally shifted to Miller. The timing was crucial for a batter who’d recently been on the wrong side of a frustrating moment—last month, DC had failed to score two runs off two against Gujarat Titans in New Delhi with Miller on strike.
This time, Miller looked determined to erase that memory. At the fall of Axar’s wicket, Miller was already on 26 off 17 balls. From there, his next 25 came in just 11 deliveries as he launched a rapid finishing spell, punishing Marco Jansen and Ben Dwarshuis in the 16th and 17th overs.
During that surge, Miller struck three sixes and a four in total before his innings ended after he departed to an Australian bowler. The important point, though, was the manner of control—both batters, despite the scoreboard looking unfavourable when they arrived, showed the mindset of players who refused to concede the game.
They never appeared to surrender, and instead looked charged up with a clear plan to halt DC’s losing run. Even when the chase tightened, Delhi’s intent stayed sharp rather than reactive.
Lower order finishes the job
The win was not built by Axar and Miller alone. Miller’s acceleration laid the foundation, and then the lower order provided the finishing support needed to keep the chase on track. Ashutosh Sharma contributed 24 off 10 balls, Madhav Tiwari struck 18 not out off 8, and Auqib Nabi added 10 not out off just 2 deliveries.
Earlier in the match, Man of the Match Tiwari also made a key impact with the ball, taking important wickets of Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. That all-round influence helped DC in both phases, and it complemented the batting push that followed.
Nabi returned to the DC playing XI after a long absence. His previous appearance against the same opposition had come last month in New Delhi, when he was part of a side that could not defend 264. On Monday night, he made his mark with bowling figures of 0/32 in four overs.
He also took a clean catch and then struck late to help wrap things up. Delhi completed the chase with six balls to spare, turning what had been a tense night into a statement win.
For the franchise, it was an excellent performance in a match where they had faced plenty of criticism in recent weeks. Even if their playoff hopes remain slim, this kind of victory offers the kind of redemption that can change how the season feels.
With Axar, Miller and those three lower-order batters standing tall when the margin was tight, Delhi Capitals found the momentum they needed at exactly the right time.
