Gujarat Titans (GT) needed another saving grace, this time from South African star David Miller against Rajasthan Royals (RR), who hit three sixes in the final three balls of the match to take his side to the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season during the Qualifier 1 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, May 25.
Miller, who turned out for two IPL seasons with RR before joining the new IPL entrants during the IPL 2022 mega auction for Rs 3 crores, hit a match-winning knock of 68 from 38 balls, reiterated that the backing and role clarity from the Titans management have made a big difference to his performances in IPL 2022.
“Opportunity, firstly. I have been given a good role and given an extended run. Have good backing from the outside. For my personal game, I am enjoying my role. I have played long time but I am understanding my game better. I am trying to keep everything closer to my gameplan,” Miller told Star Sports.
“The joy of IPL, you play for different teams. In franchise cricket you get to meet players, I knew few people already moving into the team. There were a few butterflies, but after our first close win, everything aligned and we started making a nice habit,” he added.
On the night, Miller was the aggressor during a 106-run stand with captain Hardik Pandya for the fourth wicket. He kept his calm under pressure and after hitting the first three balls of the final over into the stands at Eden Gardens, he embraced his skipper to celebrate the big win, showing his confidence and desire to fight for the club and the coveted trophy.
Miller smashed five sixes, including three in the final over with 17 runs needed to chase down a substantial total of 189 as the Titans became the third team to reach the final in their debut season.
After a bright start to life in the IPL with Punjab Kings (PBKS), then Kings XI Punjab, Miller had a few bad seasons and struggled to replicate his success. This season, the Proteas star has scored 449 runs, his best-ever tally in an IPL season, having played all 15 matches for the Titans this season.
He has been exceptionally good for Gujarat in the death over, striking at a rate of over 140 this season. The South African southpaw has found his mojo again, giving a rebirth to the title ‘Killer Miller’ who hits sixes at will under pressure.
Shedding light on his six-hitting skills, Miller added: “If it's in the V, it's in the tree. If it is in the arc, it's out of the park.
“You got to control what you can. Can't think too much ahead and what WILL happen. You need to concentrate on your breathing, and if it's in your area you have to do it. It's the last over, so you know no more balls,” he added.
Gujarat Titans will play the IPL 2022 final at their home ground, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. They will face the winner of the second qualifier between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and the winners of the eliminator between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday, May 29.
