Even someone like Sachin Tendulkar has had dry runs: David Miller
The David Miller style of play is suited more to shorter formats but the big-hitting batsman dreams of playing Tests for South Africa to this date, having made a name for himself in five years of international cricket, complimented by a successful stint in the IPL.
If Miller eventually fulfills his ‘dream’ of donning whites, he will follow the path of Australian David Warner who went on to make it big in five-day cricket after being branded a T20 specialist in the early part of his career.
“It is my dream (to play Tests) and I am working really hard for that. I know it may take some time but I am prepared to wait and be patient for my chance. As I said, it is my dream to to play Test cricket for South Africa,” Miller, who is an integral part of Kings XI Punjab squad in the IPL, said.
Though Miller only plays T20s and ODIs for South Africa, he is a regular for Dolphins in the four-day competition back home. His last first class knock was a 50 off 98 balls, showing he can playing the waiting game and he is not all about brutal force.
Miller had a decent run in his maiden World Cup though South Africa lost yet another tense match by going down to New Zealand in the semifinals, failing to shed the perennial chokers’ tag once and for all. The dangerous left-hander, however, feels otherwise.
“The focus is very much on doing well for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL but I do feel that we played quite well as a team in the World Cup. And I don’t feel the chokers tag holds anymore. I think we have shed that off long ago,” asserted Miller.
Talking about his run in the IPL, Miller feels he is in good touch despite being unable to convert starts in the three games he has been part of.
“I have had two good starts (23, 24, 9 being his last three scores) and the last game I didn’t play. I feel I am where I should be. The game is like that sometimes, even someone like Sachin Tendulkar has had dry runs. I am feeling good about my game and not too far from my best,” said the 25-year-old.
His IPL franchise has not produced the form that took them to the final last year, having lost three out of their first four games. Miller says there is no need to push the panic button as it is early days in the tournament.
“We have been training pretty hard. The games we lost were close and could have gone either way. I don’t think we are too far off from where we should be and everyone is putting in the hard work. It is just a matter of doing the right things and trusting that everything will go fine,” said Miller, who has often talked about the positive role IPL has played in his career.
In Virender Sehwag and Glenn Maxwell, the South African has fellow power hitters for company. How often do they discuss about the game?
“Nothing specific to be honest. We have just been speaking about what we are going to have for dinner and what we are going to be doing in the off time. There has not been a long serious chat about batting so far,” Miller added.
