'Never really felt backed after 2016' - GT’s David Miller recalls hard times

Gujarat Titans’ David Miller is enjoying his best ever IPL season as he has already scored 449 runs in 15 matches at an average of 64.14 with a strike rate of 141.19. This 32-year old Proteas batter is known for his powerful hitting abilities. However, in recent IPL seasons, he was nowhere near to his level best. Speaking at the pre-match press conference before this year’s IPL Final, he recalled hard times after 2016.

Miller started his IPL career in 2013 with the Punjab franchise. In both the 2013 and 2014 seasons, he scored 418 and 446 runs respectively. He came into the limelight when he smashed a century against RCB in 2013. However, after those years he failed to continue to deliver big performances in the league. Especially, in both 2020 and 2021 IPL seasons, he managed to play only in 10 matches, scoring only 124 runs.

This year, despite being unsold in the first round of the mega IPL auction, GT bought him in the second round. He has looked in sublime form as he managed to close some crucial games for the franchise in crunch situations. Before Sunday’s IPL Final, he recalled his ‘hard times’ in the last few IPL seasons.

I have been playing all the games and that allows you to settle down: David Miller

“I feel like I am repeating myself. But one thing that changed this season, is that I am playing every game. The last four-five years in IPL… I had a bad season in 2016 and then haven’t really felt backed at all. That’s the nature of the IPL. There are so many overseas players and only four can play. I had to go back and work on my game. Although I felt really good playing for the domestic teams in South Africa, I was looking to find that good nick. That’s what happened this season,” he stated. 

“I have been playing all the games and that allows you to settle down. Which helps you not really worry about the selection, but win games. As you get older and mature, you do understand the pressure and how to deal with failures. What works for you as a player. What you need to do and what you don’t need to do,” added Miller. 

Speaking about his partnership with Rahul Tewatia, he said: “We are very close and we understand each other’s game. Like what he is thinking. You must know what’s the character of your partner.” Ahead of the IPL final, he looked excited to play at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. “I have never seen the stadium, I have only seen the pictures of it. I don’t know what’s the wicket like.”