In a match that will be remembered as one of the finest finishes in IPL history, Gujarat Titans held their nerve to edge Delhi Capitals by a solitary run at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing 211, Delhi looked down and out at various stages before David Miller produced a stunning late surge. But with two runs needed off the final two deliveries, a dramatic last-ball run-out of Kuldeep Yadav sealed a heart-stopping win for Gujarat Titans, their first of the IPL 2026 season.
Earlier, fifties from Shubman Gill (70 off 45), Jos Buttler (52 off 27), and Washington Sundar (55 off 32) powered GT to a formidable 210/4. Buttler was at his explosive best, smashing five sixes in a whirlwind knock, while Gill combined elegance with authority, particularly on the leg side.
Gill and Sundar stitched together a crucial 104-run partnership that laid the foundation for the big total. Despite Lungi Ngidi’s excellent spell (1-24), GT managed a strong finish, although 58 runs in the last six overs hinted at a total within reach.
Delhi’s chase began in blistering fashion, with Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul taking the attack to the bowlers. Rahul anchored the innings superbly with a fluent 92 off 52 balls, striking 11 fours and four sixes to keep the hosts in the hunt.
However, Rashid Khan changed the game with a brilliant spell of 3-17, including the key wickets of Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, and Axar Patel. His incisive bowling ensured GT stayed in contention despite Rahul’s brilliance.
The game changed dramatically in the closing stages. Miller, who had briefly retired hurt on 12 due to a hand injury, returned to ignite Delhi’s hopes with a breathtaking cameo. He smashed two sixes off Mohammed Siraj in the 19th over, which went for 23 runs, bringing the equation down dramatically.
With 12 needed off the final over, the tension peaked. Vipraj Nigam struck a boundary before falling, and Miller launched Prasidh Krishna for a six to keep the chase alive.
Then came the defining moment.
With two runs required off two balls, Miller declined a single, backing himself to finish the match. Prasidh responded with a nerveless slower bumper, which Miller failed to connect. Attempting a desperate run, Kuldeep was caught short by a sharp underarm throw from Jos Buttler, sparking wild celebrations in the GT camp.
Miller remained unbeaten on 41 off 20 balls, his valiant effort ending in heartbreak as Delhi fell agonisingly short at 209/8.
For Gujarat Titans, it was a win defined by composure under pressure. For Delhi Capitals, it was a painful reminder of how fine the margins can be in T20 cricket.