South Africa white-ball skipper Temba Bavuma said the team will bank on senior player David Miller’s form in the forthcoming T20I series against India.
Miller aggregated 481 runs in 16 games for IPL 2022 champions Gujarat Titans this year. The southpaw averaged 68.71, the best batting average in the tournament, and a strike rate of 142.73.
Miller was an integral part of the Titans’ middle-order and bailed them out of crunch situations on a few occasions.
Miller stood tall during his unbeaten 94 against Chennai Super Kings, which helped Titans come from behind and clinch a stunning three-wicket win.
In the Qualifier 1 against Rajasthan Royals, Miller smoked three sixes off Prasidh Krishna in the final over as Titans needed 16 runs in six balls.
Gives us a lot of confidence to have an in-form and confident David Miller: Temba Bavuma
The South African batter was undefeated on 32 in the final, taking over the charge just after skipper Hardik Pandya’s dismissal. Titans won the IPL 2022 final by seven wickets.
Bavuma said Miller’s form in IPL 2022 will be a major boost for the Proteas while facing the Men in Blue.
“It’s obviously quite pleasing and gives us a lot of confidence to have an in-form and confident David Miller. More so, his performances in the IPL… and as a team, we will be feeding off the confidence and knowledge he will bring in,” Bavuma said in a virtual press conference.
The conversation has always been there on David Miller going up the order: Temba Bavuma
Miller batted at No.5 for the Titans in IPL, one position higher than what he bats for South Africa in T20 Internationals. Bavuma reiterated to promote Miller in the batting order after assessing the situation.
“The conversation has always been there on David going up the order and facing a lot more balls and having the opportunity to be a lot more destructive,” Bavuma mentioned.
“He knows where he fits within our team, the role he plays within the team… something he has played quite well. But if the opportunity is there to give David a lot more balls to face, I am sure it will be something that will be considered,” he added.
South Africa plays India in the first T20 International on June 9 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.