Axar Patel, Miller fifties power DC to record IPL chase vs PBKS in Dharamsala
Synopsis
Delhi Capitals pulled off the highest successful chase in IPL history, overhauling 210 runs with six balls to spare against Punjab Kings in Dharamsala. Axar Patel's 28-ball fifty and debutant Madhav Tiwari's explosive 18-ball cameo turned a 14/2 collapse into a record-breaking victory that keeps DC's playoff hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Capitals chased down 210 runs with six balls to spare against Punjab Kings in Match 55 on 11 May 2026 .
Axar Patel scored an unbeaten 56 off 28 balls , marking his first significant contribution of the season after averaging 6.3 in eight prior innings.
David Miller contributed 51 runs , adding crucial momentum in the middle overs before falling to Prabhsimran Singh .
IPL debutant Madhav Tiwari scored 18 runs off eight balls , including a 19-run partnership with Ashutosh Sharma off Marcus Stoinis in the 18th over.
The chase surpasses Chennai Super Kings' 193-run chase in 2010 as the highest successful IPL chase in Dharamsala .
Delhi Capitals pulled off the highest successful chase in IPL history, overhauling 210 runs with six balls to spare against Punjab Kings in Match 55 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on 11 May 2026. Captain Axar Patel's 28-ball fifty, David Miller's aggressive 51, and IPL debutant Madhav Tiwari's 18-ball cameo of 18 runs combined to keep DC's playoff hopes alive after a shaky start.
Early collapse threatens DC
The chase began in tatters. Abishek Porel fell to Shardul Thakur in the opening exchanges, and KL Rahul top-edged a pull shot to Marco Jansen at slip. At 14/2 after three overs, DC faced a mountain. Sahil Parakh, making his debut, steadied briefly with a six over long-off and a boundary in a 20-run fourth over that also featured two fours from Tristan Stubbs. But Arshdeep Singh returned to dismiss Parakh for 14 with a ramp-shot miscue to short fine leg.
Axar and Miller build the bridge
Stubbs and Axar began rebuilding, but Stubbs fell to a run-out after a mix-up, leaving DC at 38/3 after five overs. When Miller entered, the complexion changed. Axar, who had averaged just 6.3 across eight innings before this match, found his rhythm. He struck Marcus Stoinis for three consecutive boundaries and added a six off Ben Dwarshuis, reaching his 28-ball fifty as DC reached 113/4 after 12 overs. Arshdeep finished with 2/21, but Miller kept DC's hopes alive with aggressive strokeplay, hitting Marco Jansen for a six and a four in a 15-run over that also featured a boundary from Ashutosh Sharma.
Miller's departure and Tiwari's magic
Miller accelerated further in the 17th over, smashing two massive sixes off Jansen, but attempting a third six, he top-edged a pull shot to Prabhsimran Singh at short third, departing for 51. The momentum, however, swung back to DC through IPL debutant Madhav Tiwari's remarkable composure. After a backward-point boundary, Tiwari partnered with Ashutosh to plunder 19 runs off Stoinis in the 18th over. Tiwari's 18 runs off eight balls changed the equation entirely.
Final overs and the record chase
Needing 17 runs in the final two overs, Tiwari opened with a boundary before Ashutosh hit a six, then fell. A no-ball boundary shifted momentum once more. Auqib Nabi finished the chase with a massive six, sealing the record-breaking victory. The win marks the highest successful IPL chase in Dharamsala history — surpassing Chennai Super Kings' 193-run chase against Kings XI Punjab in 2010 — and keeps DC in contention for the playoffs.
Key performances
Arshdeep Singh was PBKS's standout bowler, taking 2/21 despite the heavy final overs. Yash Thakur also took 2/55. For DC, Madhav Tiwari claimed 2/40 with the ball earlier, and Mitchell Starc took 2/57.
Point of View
Averaging 6.3 entering the game, suddenly found his range when it mattered most. Tiwari's debut composure under extreme pressure (needing 17 off two overs with wickets falling) is the kind of mental toughness that separates tournament contenders from also-rans. DC's ability to recover from 14/2 and 38/3 positions against a disciplined PBKS bowling unit (Arshdeep's 2/21 was tight) speaks to their depth. The real test comes next: can they replicate this against stronger bowling attacks in the business end of the tournament?
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest successful chase in IPL history?
Delhi Capitals' 210-run chase against Punjab Kings on 11 May 2026 in Dharamsala is now the highest successful chase in IPL history, achieved with six balls to spare.
How did Axar Patel perform in the chase?
Axar Patel scored an unbeaten 56 off 28 balls, reaching his fifty with three consecutive boundaries off Marcus Stoinis and a six off Ben Dwarshuis. This was a significant turnaround for the Delhi Capitals captain, who had averaged just 6.3 across eight innings before this match.
What was Madhav Tiwari's contribution?
IPL debutant Madhav Tiwari scored 18 runs off eight balls in a crucial late-order cameo, including a 19-run partnership with Ashutosh Sharma off Marcus Stoinis in the 18th over that shifted the momentum decisively.
How did Delhi Capitals recover from early collapses?
DC faced 14/2 after three overs and 38/3 after five overs but recovered through a solid partnership between Axar and Stubbs, followed by aggressive contributions from David Miller (51) and debutant Madhav Tiwari's composure in the final overs.
Who were the standout bowlers for Punjab Kings?
Arshdeep Singh took 2/21 and was Punjab Kings' most economical bowler despite the heavy final overs, while Yash Thakur contributed 2/55. Yuzvendra Chahal had to leave the field after appearing to injure his left shoulder.
