NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar voiced his backing for David Miller after Delhi Capitals suffered a painful one-run loss to Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2026. Gavaskar felt the batter’s mindset was spot on, even though the finish didn’t quite come off under intense pressure. In a nail-biting last-over chase, Miller’s choice to not take a single when two were required off the final two balls ultimately swung the contest. He backed himself against Prasidh Krishna, aiming to clear the game with a big strike, but the decisive delivery slipped just out of reach. With DC desperate for a bye, the attempt ended in disaster as Kuldeep Yadav was run out after a direct hit from Jos Buttler, sealing Delhi’s fate.
“David Miller was backing himself, he had been striking the ball well and believed he could finish it. You can’t fault that intent,” Gavaskar said on JioHotstar. “In the end, it also comes down to execution. Prasidh Krishna bowled a superb slower bouncer at the right height, which made it difficult. These are very fine margins in pressure situations.”
‘Game awareness becomes crucial’
While defending Miller’s intent, Gavaskar stressed how vital game awareness is during high-stakes moments. He pointed to past evidence, recalling Ravi Shastri’s calm decision-making in the famous 1986 tied Test between India and Australia. Gavaskar drew a parallel between that situation and the one Miller faced, highlighting that even when a batter is trying to win, the correct option at the right time can be decisive.
“This is where game awareness becomes crucial. It reminds me of what Ravi Shastri did in that tied Test against Australia in 1986, taking a single at the right moment to level the scores,” he said.
“In this case, in hindsight, a single might have been the better option, especially after Kuldeep Yadav managed one earlier,” Gavaskar added, balancing his support for Miller’s aggression with the missed opportunity that could have changed the outcome.
Rashid shines in GT’s first win
Earlier in the match, Rashid Khan played a key role as Gujarat Titans edged the contest. The leg-spinner struck three times, conceding only 17 runs, and used his spell to shift momentum during the middle overs. That win was also Gujarat’s first of the season.
Kevin Pietersen, the former England batter, praised Rashid’s influence but questioned the overall bowling effort from Gujarat. In his view, while Rashid was exceptional, the team did not manage the later stages as effectively as they needed to.
“Rashid Khan was outstanding… but I don’t think Gujarat Titans’ bowling as a whole was at its best. They didn’t close the game out particularly well,” Pietersen said.
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