New Delhi: “What was David Miller thinking?” “Why didn’t he run?” After Delhi Capitals’ heartbreaking defeat by Gujarat Titans by one run in IPL 2026, these questions will dominate the conversation. But beyond the drama and controversy, it was Akshar Patel’s touching gesture after the match that really stood out.At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, Miller endured a stormy night that ended in agony. The South African capped off a great heist with an unbeaten 41 off just 20 balls to drag DC back from the brink. With 2 needed off 2 balls, victory looked within reach.Then came the moment that changed everything.Facing Prasad Krishna, Miller denied a single on the closing delivery, backing himself to end the game with a boundary. But Krishna dismissed him with a slow bouncer on the last ball. In desperation, Miller and Kuldeep Yadav attempted farewells, only for Jos Buttler to hit a direct hit to seal a dramatic win for Gujarat.DC finished on 209/8, one run short of GT’s total of 210.Miller was clearly shattered. But in this moment of despair, Akshar Patel’s reaction spoke volumes. The DC captain walked up, shook Miller’s hand, put 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: Akshar Patel’s heartwarming gesture for troubled David MillerEarlier, Gujarat Titans reached 210/4 thanks to half-centuries from Shibman Gill, Buttler and Washington Sundar. In reply, KL Rahul’s fluent 92 and Patham Nissanka’s 41 laid the foundations, but Rashid Khan’s triple strike turned the tide.With 36 needed in the last two overs, the game looked over – until Miller’s late onslaught, which included a 106m six, reignited hope. He took it to the wire by scoring 23 runs off Mohammad Siraj in the last over.In the end, though, it wasn’t just the missed runs that defined the night – it was a captain’s compassion that left a lasting impression.
