Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has come out in strong support of David Miller after the team suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat against Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 clash on Wednesday.
The match ended in dramatic fashion, with Miller drawing criticism from some fans and analysts for not taking a single on the penultimate delivery, which would have brought spinner Kuldeep Yadav on strike for the final ball. The decision has sparked debate among cricket followers about whether the South African batter should have rotated the strike.
Axar Backs Miller’s Decision
Despite the criticism, Axar Patel defended Miller during a dressing-room interaction with the Delhi Capitals squad, reminding teammates that the team would not have come close to victory without Miller’s late assault.
Miller had earlier smashed crucial sixes in the 19th over off Mohammed Siraj, bringing Delhi Capitals back into the contest during the tense run chase.
“At the start of the season, I told everyone to control emotions and stay calm in any situation. We are all sad, but we can still smile. It’s a long tournament,” Axar told the players.
He added that Miller’s contributions had played a vital role in pushing the game to the final over.
“If he didn’t hit those sixes, we wouldn’t have been in the game,” the DC skipper said.
Debate Over the Final Over Decision
The controversy centers around the second-last delivery of the innings, when Miller opted against taking a single, leaving himself to face the final ball.
Some fans believe rotating the strike to Kuldeep Yadav might have offered a different outcome, while others argue that backing an experienced finisher like Miller was the logical choice.
The close nature of the match has intensified the discussion, as a single additional run would have changed the result.
Axar Says Team Must Learn From Close Finish
Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Axar acknowledged that his side could have handled certain moments in the chase more wisely.
“I think both teams played very good cricket. In such close games, you can point out many moments that could have gone differently,” he said.
Axar also stressed that the team needs to play smarter in crucial situations to convert close contests into victories.
Focus Shifts to Next Match
Despite the narrow defeat, Axar urged his teammates to stay positive and move forward quickly as the IPL season is a long tournament with many opportunities ahead.
Delhi Capitals will now travel to Chennai to face Chennai Super Kings on April 11 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where they will look to bounce back strongly.
With the competition heating up, DC will hope to regain momentum and turn their close losses into wins in the coming matches.
