Delhi Capitals (DC) were left to rue a late twist on Wednesday, falling to Gujarat Titans (GT) by the narrowest margin of 1 run in a high-drama IPL 2026 encounter. South Africa batter David Miller looked set to pull off a stunning finish, but with 2 required from the final two balls, he couldn’t find the needed runs as Prasidh Krishna held his nerve to secure the win for the Titans. After the match, Miller walked off in a disappointed mood, and fellow countryman Kagiso Rabada, despite lining up against him, went over to offer comfort.
DC’s chase falls agonisingly short
DC ended on 209 for 8 in pursuit of 211, with the chase slipping just short of the target. The innings had a strong start from the top order, but GT managed to claw back control in the middle stages and set up a tense finish.
- Delhi Capitals finished at 209/8 while chasing 211.
- The game was decided by a margin of 1 run.
- Miller came close to an improbable win but fell short at the death after needing 2 off the last two deliveries.
GT post 210/4 with Buttler, Gill and Sundar leading
Gujarat Titans built a competitive total of 210 for four after their batters found momentum at key moments. Jos Buttler’s explosive 52 off 27 provided the early acceleration, featuring a half-century that arrived with plenty of boundaries. Captain Shubman Gill then anchored the innings with 70 off the required number of balls, while Washington Sundar contributed a brisk 55 off 32 to keep the run-rate under pressure.
GT’s innings also benefited from a strong platform set earlier in the chase, leaving Delhi with a target that looked reachable—but not easy—heading into the final overs.
Key partnerships and momentum swings
Delhi Capitals’ chase began with a foundation that made the outcome uncertain. Rahul struck 92 off 52 and Pathum Nissanka made 41 off 24, stitching together a 76-run partnership in 49 balls that gave DC the belief that they could chase down the total. Yet momentum shifted when Rashid Khan struck three times in the middle overs, disrupting DC’s rhythm and forcing the chase into a tighter, more volatile phase.
- Rahul made 92 off 52 and Pathum Nissanka contributed 41 off 24.
- A 76-run stand between Rahul and Nissanka came in 49 balls.
- Rashid Khan took three wickets in the middle overs to change the contest.
Final overs drama: Miller’s near-miss and Prasidh’s composure
Despite the late pressure, Titans looked to have the chase under control heading into the 19th over, when DC still needed 36 from the final two overs. Hope returned when Miller, who had been dealing with a finger issue in the dressing room, came back to the middle. From there, he nearly engineered a miracle—driving the run chase back into contention with a couple of powerful sixes and a boundary during the 23-run penultimate over off Mohammed Siraj.
With many of GT’s pace options proving costly on the night, the responsibility in the final phase fell to Prasidh Krishna. He was tasked with defending 13 runs from the last six balls, and the equation grew more delicate as DC lost Vipraj Nigam after he struck a four off the first ball. Once Nigam departed, Miller had 8 runs to get off the last three deliveries.
Then came the decisive moment. Miller struck a mammoth hit over long-off that looked like it could seal the result for DC, but his mindset and decision-making at the very end ultimately proved costly. On the penultimate ball, Miller refused a run he could have taken, setting up what would become the final-over finish.
Last-ball finish and the called review
With 2 required off the final ball, Prasidh went for a slower delivery, but it wasn’t picked up by Miller. Miller attempted to run anyway, and Kuldeep Yadav was left short of his crease. A review was then requested for a wide, but the ball was judged to be fair, leaving Miller visibly frustrated and DC unable to complete the chase.
- DC needed 36 off the last two overs with 19 overs completed.
- Miller returned after treating a finger injury in the dressing room.
- He struck two sixes and a four in a 23-run penultimate over from Mohammed Siraj.
- Prasidh Krishna defended 13 runs from the final six balls.
- Vipraj Nigam departed after hitting a four off the opening ball, leaving Miller needing 8 off the last three deliveries.
- DC were ultimately denied after a late run attempt and a review that confirmed the delivery was fair.
What it means for both sides
The result delivered a major turning point for Delhi Capitals. It was their first defeat of the season, ending a run of matches without a loss. For Gujarat Titans, the win finally came with the full points in their third attempt, as they managed to edge out DC in a finish that swung on the finest of margins.
- Delhi Capitals suffered their first loss of the season.
- Gujarat Titans secured full points in their third attempt.
