NEW DELHI: Its captain IPL Hardik Pandya might sport a wry smile reading this, but South African star hitter David Miller also wants to end a world title drought for his team by maintaining their remarkable consistency in the new year.
Miller had a year to remember as he contributed immensely to Gujarat Titans’ winning effort in the IPL debut besides shining in South African colours.
In the 16 T20 Internationals he has played in 2022, Miller has scored at the rate of 164.84, including scoring one hundred and two and a half centuries against India. In 12 ODIs it averaged 57.80.
Speaking to PTI ahead of the inaugural SA20, where he will captain Paarl Royals, Miller said his aim was to maintain the consistency he has shown over the past 12 months.
“As a sportsman you always try to be consistent. Find out what works for you through pressure situations and try to do it more often. Looking at this year I want to make sure I’m in a good mental space and being kind and clear with my plans.
“I want to stay consistent no matter what team I play for. It’s a busy international schedule but I have some good time off in December so I feel refreshed and revitalized for the new year,” said the destructive southpaw.
While India last won a world title in 2011, South Africa have struggled to win one since returning to international cricket in the post-apartheid era in 1991.
India’s T20 skipper Hardik has already said there can’t be anything bigger than winning the World Cup on home soil and Miller wants to win it for the Proteas as well.
“We haven’t managed to win one yet, but the end goal is to aim for the World Cup. It’s one of the biggest trophies around and we have some exciting players in the white ball setup. who arrive.
“I’m looking forward to this World Cup. There’s still time, but I’ve added this to my New Year’s resolution,” he said, referring to the ODI World Cup in India in October. -november.
“IPL has changed our lives, SA20 will greatly benefit local players”
All six SA20 teams are owned by successful IPL franchisees and their presence provides much-needed stability to the event, Miller believes. Cricket South Africa has launched T20 leagues in the past but with little success.
“We wanted to have something like that. If you look at all the leagues that are going on, it always benefits local players, international players who come and play and they gain experience.
“The owners of IPL are on board. They have a very successful product in IPL over the past 14-15 years. The teams are very experienced in what they want and how the event should be run.
“They are getting involved in different leagues around the world. It seems like at least T20 cricket is growing. South Africa is a great place to play cricket with a good time zone and good weather. It will be a successful product.
“Having Indian owners, it also becomes very lucrative for local players.”
As IPL changed his life, the SA20 could do the same for young cricketers at home, Miller said.
“As a South African you always want to play for your country, that’s the greatest honor for me. In terms of life changing, you can definitely do it in the IPL with the financial benefits that come with it.
“It (SA20) will also change a lot of local lives. It gives them extra income outside of their domestic contracts. It’s surely a win-win situation,” he added.
Miller had a year to remember as he contributed immensely to Gujarat Titans’ winning effort in the IPL debut besides shining in South African colours.
In the 16 T20 Internationals he has played in 2022, Miller has scored at the rate of 164.84, including scoring one hundred and two and a half centuries against India. In 12 ODIs it averaged 57.80.
Speaking to PTI ahead of the inaugural SA20, where he will captain Paarl Royals, Miller said his aim was to maintain the consistency he has shown over the past 12 months.
“As a sportsman you always try to be consistent. Find out what works for you through pressure situations and try to do it more often. Looking at this year I want to make sure I’m in a good mental space and being kind and clear with my plans.
“I want to stay consistent no matter what team I play for. It’s a busy international schedule but I have some good time off in December so I feel refreshed and revitalized for the new year,” said the destructive southpaw.
While India last won a world title in 2011, South Africa have struggled to win one since returning to international cricket in the post-apartheid era in 1991.
India’s T20 skipper Hardik has already said there can’t be anything bigger than winning the World Cup on home soil and Miller wants to win it for the Proteas as well.
“We haven’t managed to win one yet, but the end goal is to aim for the World Cup. It’s one of the biggest trophies around and we have some exciting players in the white ball setup. who arrive.
“I’m looking forward to this World Cup. There’s still time, but I’ve added this to my New Year’s resolution,” he said, referring to the ODI World Cup in India in October. -november.
“IPL has changed our lives, SA20 will greatly benefit local players”
All six SA20 teams are owned by successful IPL franchisees and their presence provides much-needed stability to the event, Miller believes. Cricket South Africa has launched T20 leagues in the past but with little success.
“We wanted to have something like that. If you look at all the leagues that are going on, it always benefits local players, international players who come and play and they gain experience.
“The owners of IPL are on board. They have a very successful product in IPL over the past 14-15 years. The teams are very experienced in what they want and how the event should be run.
“They are getting involved in different leagues around the world. It seems like at least T20 cricket is growing. South Africa is a great place to play cricket with a good time zone and good weather. It will be a successful product.
“Having Indian owners, it also becomes very lucrative for local players.”
As IPL changed his life, the SA20 could do the same for young cricketers at home, Miller said.
“As a South African you always want to play for your country, that’s the greatest honor for me. In terms of life changing, you can definitely do it in the IPL with the financial benefits that come with it.
“It (SA20) will also change a lot of local lives. It gives them extra income outside of their domestic contracts. It’s surely a win-win situation,” he added.
