IPL: Chase master David Miller announce return with Match Winning Knock for Gujarat Titans
David Miller, one of South Africa’s best finisher after AB de Villiers has announced his arrival in the IPL in a classy style as he took his team over the finishing line last night against Delhi Capitals.
Miller scores 31 off 16 to help GT register second win
When he came out to bat, the match was evenly poised with all possible results as Gujarat Titans required 56 runs of 40 deliveries. Due to disciplined bowling of Delhi bowlers comprising bowling spearhead Kuldeep Yadav and Mukesh Kumar among other names, they had kept the Titans in check until Miller came out to bat. Sai Sudarshan was the other batter playing his attacking game but he was well kept in check by the DC bowlers.
Miller even survived a close LBW call against Indian spinner Kuldeep, but it was averted by the umpire as he kept on going for singles and doubles, patiently playing the waiting game.
At his best, once again
Mukesh Kumar, Bengal pacer was one of the disciplined bowlers before 15th over, but as soon as he came to bowl in the 16th over tables turned dramatically. He bowled the first three balls impeccably but committed a grave mistake, bowling one in Miller’s arc, which the southpaw nailed it for a distant six into the stands. Once a mistake is made against Miller, it is very hard to rectify it within a single delivery. He bowled full once again, leading Miller to whack it for one more time.
Mukesh Kumar conceded 20 runs in that over, with Miller killing the game in that over itself.
Fringe player for his team
Miller, who has been in the headlines for his powerful stroke play and eye-catching shots since many years, has been a clutch player for his teams, be it for South Africa or for IPL teams he have played for.
While chasing , Miller has the highest strike rate and has amassed 355 runs at a strike rate of 155.30, having two fifties to his name. When asked about his performance in the post match conference, he was heard saying,”Confidence is a big part to play. It is about doing the same thing, making the correct decisions, not unnecessary panicking too early and keep kind of calculating all the way through.”
Miller’s clutch knocks since last year:
CSK vs GT: Miller delivered a memorable knock last year when they met Chennai in Pune last year. When he took the field, his team was reeling at 16/3 in 3.5 overs. But Miller anchored the chase, and took his team over the line with a fine match winning knock of 94 of 51 balls, smashing 8 fours and 6 sixes.
RR vs GT (Qualifier 1): Miller smashed 68 runs of 38 balls and stitched an unbroken century stand with skipper Hardik Pandya, guiding his team to the finals.
