Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: “What was David Miller thinking?” “Why didn’t he run?” Those questions will dominate conversations after Delhi Capitals suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. But beyond the drama and debate, it was Axar Patel’s touching post-match gesture that truly stood out.At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, Miller endured a whirlwind night that ended in agony. The South African nearly pulled off one of the great heists, smashing an unbeaten 41 off just 20 balls to drag DC back from the brink. With 2 needed off 2 balls, victory seemed within reach.Then came the moment that changed everything.Facing Prasidh Krishna, Miller declined a single off the penultimate delivery, backing himself to finish the game with a boundary. But Krishna outfoxed him with a slower bouncer on the final ball. In desperation, Miller and Kuldeep Yadav attempted a bye, only for Jos Buttler to produce a direct hit and seal a dramatic win for Gujarat.DC finished at 209/8, one run short of the 210 total by GT.Miller was visibly shattered. But in that moment of despair, Axar Patel’s reaction spoke volumes. The DC skipper walked up, shook Miller’s hand, placed an arm around his shoulder, and offered words of encouragement. As one commentator aptly put it: “Captain, telling one of his soldiers how brilliant he was.”WATCH: Axar Patel’s heartfelt gesture for distraught David MillerEarlier, Gujarat Titans rode on half-centuries from Shubman Gill, Buttler and Washington Sundar to post 210/4. In reply, KL Rahul’s fluent 92 and Pathum Nissanka’s 41 laid the foundation, but Rashid Khan’s triple strike turned the tide.With 36 needed off the last two overs, the game looked done — until Miller’s late assault, including a 106m six, reignited hope. He plundered 23 runs off Mohammed Siraj in the penultimate over to bring it down to the wire.In the end, though, it wasn’t just the missed run that defined the night — it was a captain’s compassion that left a lasting impression.
