David Miller, our South African stalwart, produced plenty of clutch performances in our title-winning campaign last year. He landed in Delhi after the series against Netherlands on Monday and turned up on the field for the Gujarat Titans on Tuesday. Once again, he was back doing what he does best, finishing games in style!

Speaking to media after the match, Miller spoke about Titans’ stupendous run chase record in TATA IPL and decoded the success mantra of the team. This was Gujarat Titans’ 10th win in 11 matches batting second since making our debut last year. 

“It is my second year with Gujarat Titans and I’m really excited for this season. We have been very successful with regards to chasing. We have been very calm in our run chases, confidence plays a big part in that. It’s about doing the right thing under pressure, taking the correct decisions and not panicking. We calculate all the way through,” Miller said.  

On a tricky pitch to bat, Miller took his time and picked the right opportunity to counter-attack. His unbeaten 19-ball 31 killed the suspense and helped us finish the match with 11 balls to spare. 

“It’s necessary to play on the front foot against pacers like (Anrich) Nortje, who are very quick. We chat about these things at the halfway stage. It was a good wicket but kept a little low at times, but we were playing on the front foot and we were fine,” the South African added. 

Talking about taking the field a day after reaching India, he said, “No jet lag, I slept well on the plane. I went to the steam room early in the morning today to make sure I was nicely recovered.”

Miller and Sai Sudharsan added a terrific 56-run partnership in 29 balls and took the side past the winning line. Miller was full of praise for the young batter, who brought up his second TATA IPL fifty and went on to win the Player of the Match award. 

“Sai (Sudharsan) played a few games last year. To come in and play the way he did in the last two matches is encouraging for the team. He is a very talented player and we need him in the squad. It’s really nice to see him doing well and making clear decisions in the middle. It was great to see him get the Player of the Match award,” Miller explained. 

Talking about skipper Hardik Pandya, he said, “Hardik is one of the top players I have played with. It has been a privilege to be part of the Gujarat Titans and to work with him. He is his own person and instils a lot of confidence in the team, he is a huge team man. He spends a lot of time with the young guys.”

The Gujarat Titans have picked up two wins in two matches so far and next up, we host the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 9.