The Type of Loss That Remains
In cricket, there are losses, and then there are those losses. The ones where you sit silently after the last ball, gazing at the TV and mentally reliving every second. The ones where the question, “Why didn’t he just take the single?” keeps coming up.
That is precisely what happened when the Delhi Capitals lost to the Gujarat Titans by one run on April 8, 2026, at Arun Jaitley Stadium. A retirement, a comeback, a 106-meter six, a broken hand, and a last ball that quieted the whole dugout were all present in this match.
A Chase That Was Very Much On Throughout the middle overs
Delhi Capitals had a commanding lead as they chased 211. By the thirteenth over, KL Rahul had amassed 69 off just 37 balls. I have seven wickets. Seven overs are required to score eighty-one runs. 11.57 is the asking rate.
Uncomfortable? Indeed. Not possible? Not even close—not with Rahul playing at that level, not in this T20 era, and most definitely not with David Miller still to arrive. DC appeared to have a real chance. Then things began to change.
Miller’s Near-Death Injury
Miller had previously been treated for a hand injury just prior to the thirteenth over. When he returned, he pulled Prasidh Krishna for a really good one-bounce four to deep midwicket. But the effort made things worse. By the time that was over, Miller was unable to continue since the ache in his left hand had returned. On 12 off 10 balls, he was injured and retired.
That particular detail is crucial. The fact that the man swinging for the fences had a broken hand is easily overlooked when watching the last over. Later in the game, Miller was fighting more than just the scoreboard and the bowling assault when he returned to the crease. He was also struggling with his own physique.
How GT Won the Game
Delhi’s chase began to falter while Miller was off the field. Axar Patel was taken out by Rashid Khan, who was in his element when the game was on the line. Then there was a fantastic fielding moment when Tristan Stubbs was run out by a straight hit from Sai Sudharsan.
Miller went back to the crease. Rahul, the mainstay of the whole pursuit, fell to Mohammed Siraj after two balls. The equation abruptly changed to: four wickets remaining, 45 required from three overs. KL Rahul has vanished. The seasoned middle order had fallen apart. The Gujarat Titans had complete control.
Miller won’t leave quietly
Miller concluded he wasn’t done with the hunt as it extended beyond Washington, DC. He helped reduce the target to 36 from 12 deliveries by swatting Kagiso Rabada over extra cover. The 19th over, which momentarily altered everything, came next.
Siraj’s bowling was short. Miller pulled it straight into the stands. Miller muscled the following ball so hard that it almost struck the deep extra cover boundary cushion on the full. The ball was full, just outside off, and sitting right in the slot. Then came the stroke that summed up the entire innings: Miller hit the no-look shot over the bowler’s head for six after it was a true half-volley, right under his nose.
Don’t look. above the bowler’s head. has a left-hand injury. Later in the over, Vipraj Nigam added a boundary, and all of a sudden, DC just needed 12 from the last over. A game that had appeared to be dead was breathing loudly once again.
Prasidh vs Miller: The History of This Story
It felt almost scripted because of the depth of history that existed before the final over ever started. The scenario was even more dire in IPL 2022 Qualifier 1, as 16 runs were required off the final over. Miller hammered Prasidh Krishna for three sixes off the first three balls while he was a member of the Gujarat Titans. It turned into one of the most famous endings in IPL history.
It was 2026 now. The roles were entirely reversed. Delhi was with Miller. Gujarat has Prasidh. As they prepared for this one, both guys most likely had that 2022 over in the back of their minds. At the end of the 19th over, Shubman Gill and Prasidh had a lengthy conversation. They came to the decision that, if it came down to it, they would choose the slower bouncer on the final ball.
Ball by Ball in the Last Over
Prasidh began with a broad, expensive gift that moved DC closer. For four, Vipraj Nigam lifted the first correct delivery over mid-off. DC still needed eight from three balls when he holed out on the very next delivery, putting Kuldeep Yadav to the crease.
Miller might try to sneak a bye since GT knew he would want the strike back. In preparation for throwing at the stumps, Buttler really took off his right glove. However, Kuldeep maintained his poise and made a clean single by dabbing the ball to deep third. Eight are required. Three balls. Miller is on strike.
He launched the next delivery — a pitched-up ball that Prasidh failed to nail as a yorker — for a monstrous 106-metre six. The DC dugout was on its feet. GT’s camp looked rattled. Two needed from two balls.
The Single That Wasn’t. In the midst of the pitch,
Miller and Kuldeep engaged in a lengthy conversation. You could tell what they were arguing without a microphone. At worst, take the single on ball five to tie the game and force a Super Over. Alternatively, reject the single, maintain Miller’s strike, and support him to win on the final ball.
We are aware of their decision. Prasidh bowled a slower, shorter ball. Miller drew it in the direction of the deep square leg. The single was there; it was simple, uncomplicated, and essentially given to them. They didn’t flee.
On the last delivery, right outside off, Prasidh chose the slower bouncer. Gill’s strategy worked flawlessly. Miller made a forceful swing. He failed. They had to flee now. Buttler threw directly at the stumps with an underarm. Kuldeep dove. He was not very tall. Even before the third umpire got involved, DC’s head coach, Hemang Badani, raised a finger from the dugout.
In the hopes that the ball had gone above height, the hitters reviewed. Not provided. Miller stands 1.87 meters tall. At 1.75 meters, the ball crossed the popping crease. The Delhi Capitals were defeated by one run.
What Prevented Him from Taking That Single?
The question is this. To be honest, there isn’t a simple solution. At that point, Miller was in the best shape of his life. His muscle memory, instinct, and experience all told him he could complete this. The harsh reality of cricket is that decisions are not validated by results.
Since Miller’s call to remain was unsuccessful, it was not incorrect. Under tremendous pressure, a person with every right to defend himself took a justifiable risk. Yes, the safest play would have been the single. However, DC supporters were holding their breath since they thought Miller could win it in the first place because he is not designed for safety.
What This Game Leaves Behind
The Delhi Capitals will go on. There are still a lot of games left in the lengthy IPL season. This one, though, will stick around. It is difficult to forget the picture of Miller in the DC dugout after the last ball, hand bandaged, eyes down, and upset. He put his all into it. He almost accomplished the seemingly impossible.
In T20 cricket, every ball is its own small drama. When you lose by one run, you can point to a dozen moments and ask “what if.” But only one question will follow DC fans to sleep tonight. Why didn’t he take that single?
Also Read: KKR vs PBKS IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens
We recommend checking this detailed guide for more clarity: David Miller and the single that wasn’t