In IPL 2022, David Miller has risen like a proverbial phoenix from the ashes and has silenced his critics and doubters and then some more. With the South African at the helm, Gujarat Titans’ middle-order looked secure and formidable throughout the season and ‘Killer Miller,’ as he’s popularly known, also played some important match-winning knocks for the side.
It was the left-hander’s three sixes off the first three deliveries off Prasidh Krishna’s final over at the Eden Gardens in Qualifier 1 which allowed GT to book their place in the final in their very first IPL appearance.
His resurgence this season has been in sharp contrast to his consistently underwhelming performances over the last five years in the Indian Premier League. Until IPL 2022, Miller had failed to breach the 400-runs a season mark since IPL 2014.
Such was the state of his anonymity that the stylish left-hander went unsold in the first round of the IPL 2022 mega auction. However, Gujarat Titans took a gamble on him for Rs 3 crores and it has paid off for them extremely well!
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has mentioned on ESPNCricinfo that Miller had failed to make a significant impact with an IPL franchise in the past several years. However, he pointed out that the southpaw turned things around with his stint with GT in the latest edition and has also named him one of the top performers from their title-winning campaign.
Manjrekar also heaped praise on Miller for delivering in crucial situations and taking his team past the finishing line with explosive knocks. He also went on to add that this was his best IPL season ever.
“David Miller was the biggest surprise. Apart from his first couple of years, all the other seasons had proved to be a failure for him. He suddenly stepped up while playing for a new franchise this year. It was his best IPL season. He batted really well in the final and also played a match-winning knock in Qualifier 1.”
David Miller amassed 481 runs from 16 games in IPL 2022. He also had a fantastic batting average of 68.71 and a strike rate of 142.72. He also contributed with 32 crucial runs from just 19 deliveries in the all-important IPL 2022 final against the Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
