David Miller’s choice to decline a single run during the match against Gujarat Titans resulted in Delhi Capitals losing by a narrow margin of one run in Wednesday’s IPL 2026 fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This decision has sparked discussions on whether taking the single would have been more beneficial, drawing parallels to the historic tied Test between India and Australia in 1986 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
During the crucial moments of the match, with India requiring two runs to secure victory and just one wicket remaining in a chase of 348, all possible outcomes were on the table. Ravi Shastri nudged off-spinner Greg Matthews for a single, giving Maninder Singh the strike. However, Matthews dismissed Maninder lbw for a duck, preventing India from crossing the finish line.
Shastri was left unbeaten on 48 off 40 balls, with the match ending in a rare tie, only the second in cricket history after the Australia vs West Indies Test in Brisbane in 1960. While Shastri’s single did not secure a win for India, it ensured they did not suffer a loss. A defeat would have put India at a disadvantage of 0-1 in the three-match series.
In contrast to Shastri’s strategic single, David Miller’s decision not to take the single ultimately cost Delhi Capitals the match within the stipulated 40 overs. Opting to aim for two runs on the final delivery, Miller’s gamble did not pay off for him or DC. Even if Kuldeep Yadav had failed to score off the last ball, DC would have had a chance to redeem themselves in the Super Over.
On the same day, a similar scenario unfolded in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between Hyderabad Kingsmen and Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium in Karachi. Iftikhar Ahmed, facing a comparable situation to Miller, made a wise choice by taking a single, allowing Aamer Jamal to secure the winning run and a four-wicket victory for Zalmi. Iftikhar’s stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match title for his valuable contributions with both bat and ball.
David Miller will have the opportunity to bounce back when Delhi Capitals face Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, April 11, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.