David Miller carried his sensational IPL form to international cricket as South Africa made a mockery of the Indian bowling attack to gun down their highest ever run-chase and race to a seven wicket win in the opening T20I on Thursday.
Rassie Van der Dussen (71 not out off 45 ) and Miller (64 not out off 31) shared an unbeaten 131-run stand to chase down a stiff 212-run target with ridiculous ease and five balls to spare.
Meanwhile, Rassie revealed how Miller knock helped him build innings after a series of dot balls and overhaul India's colossal target.
"We had a good week of preparation in these conditions, bit sticky there in the middle but David's such a good player, he pulled me through that little patch. We knew if we were there till the end then we would win it. I always knew I was just two boundaries away, it was not because of lack of intent, I was clear in my mind what I wanted to do but it didn't come off, you need to be mentally tough through that patch and not give it away, when you take 30 balls your team expects you to do something special. I have had a game plan that has worked for me in the last few years, the good thing of our dugout and coaching team is that they trust, I was a touch slow today and need to work on that. Dwaine had clear instructions and he gave us that flying start, we knew if we bat well we could chase this and to have that belief. Sometimes the strangest things that make a difference, seems like it (change of bat changed his luck)," Rassie said in the post match presentation.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma was full of praise for the dashing duo of Van der Dussen and Miller.
"That was a proper batting display. David (Miller) carried his form, properly supported by Rassie (van der Dussen). It was a good wicket probably reading the situation better and (corrections needed) going to the death options earlier and taking away the boundary balls.
"We have a lot of belief on Rassie. He takes it slowly and takes it on at the end. He is the guy who sees us through. With David, makes it very explosive," Bavuma said.
Bavuma said he expected the wicket to play better in the second innings and that's why he chose to field after winning the toss.
The visiting skipper also had words of appreciation for Ishan Kishan.
"I think the way Ishan batted, he made it look easy. He put our spinners under pressure," Bavuma said.
Meanwhile, Miller, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for his explosive knock, said his understanding his game in the last few years has made him a better cricketer.
"I think it's a lot of hard work, have been understanding my game a lot better in the last four-five years.," he said.
"I have been around for some time now but understanding and winning games give you a lot more confidence. Wherever I bat, I have always wanted to make a difference. No. 5 happens to be the place now.
India had posted an imposing to 211 for four with the help of Ishan Kishan (76 off 48 balls), new skipper Rishabh Pant (29 off 16) and Hardik Pandya (31 off 12).
