Eshan Malinga produces double strike to dismiss Nitish Rana and David Miller in SRH vs DC IPL 2026 clash | Watch video

Eshan Malinga, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer, turned the IPL 2026 encounter against Delhi Capitals (DC) on its head with a dramatic double-wicket over that left DC reeling at 109/4. The young Sri Lankan speedster dismissed dangerous batter Nitish Rana and then cleaned up David Miller with a golden duck, sparking wild celebrations in the orange army stands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. His double strike along with two more wickets later in the game, contributed to restrict DC to 195/5 after 20 overs, leading to SRH's win by 47 runs.

Eshan Malinga's deadly spell changes momentum

Nitish Rana, who had been aggressive and looked set on 57 off 30 balls, fell first. Malinga bowled a clever slower delivery on a length, forcing Rana to mistime his front-foot heave. The ball went high towards long-on, where Abhishek Sharma completed a well-judged sliding catch. It was a crucial breakthrough as Rana was anchoring DC's middle order.

Just one ball later, South African finisher David Miller walked in but lasted only a single delivery. Malinga pitched a good-length ball that held its line beautifully. Miller, rooted to the crease, attempted to defend but only managed an inside edge that deflected off his back thigh onto the stumps. Miller departed for a golden duck, leaving DC at 109/4 with Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi at the crease.

Eshan Malinga’s game-changing spell breaks DC’s backbone

Eshan Malinga delivered a decisive and clinical spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 4-0-32-4, turning the match firmly in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s favour. After taking two crucial scalps, removing Nitish Rana and David Miller off successive deliveries to trigger a collapse. Malinga wasn’t done yet, he returned later to dismiss Tristan Stubbs 27 (16) with a clever slower ball and then got rid of Ashutosh Sharma 14 (10), capping off a four-wicket haul. His variations, especially the change of pace and ability to hit awkward lengths, made scoring difficult and never allowed Delhi Capitals to rebuild. It was a spell that not only fetched wickets but completely dismantled the chase.

Eshan Malinga in the Purple Cap race

Eshan Malinga has climbed to the second position on the Purple Cap standings with his four-wicket haul in SRH vs DC clash. He has taken 12 wickets in 7 innings and has a BBI of 32/4. He has bowled at an economy rate of 9.43. The star SRH bowler is just behind Chennai Super Kings' Anshul Kamboj who has 13 scalps from 6 innings.