Jaipur: Three months before the first edition of the Indian Premier League ( IPL) got underway in 2008, David Miller started his first class career for Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Right from the start, the IPL drew his interest and Miller now finds himself in the same league that has attracted the best players from around the world.
“I started my career in 2008 and still remember Brendon McCullum’s innings in the very first IPL match,” Miller told MAIL TODAY . “Playing for the national team remains everyone’s priority and I am no different. As your career unfolds, you look for opportunities and IPL was exactly what I was looking for,” said the Kings XI Punjab batsman.
Miller was part of the Punjab team last year as well, but spent his time on the sidelines. This season Miller has become a vital part of the team set up.
“IPL has been a great opportunity for me. I was mostly the 12th man in the last season but this year I got the chance and I think I’ve faired reasonably well,” he said.
Miller has scored 94 runs from the five matches so far, but what is heartening for him is that he has contributed in winning causes.
An injury to captain Adam Gilchrist allowed Miller to showcase his potential and the South African hasn’t been a disappointment.
“We did start slowly but have done reasonably well. It’s a long tournament so teams can make a comeback. We have won four of our last six matches and most of them were very close."
“Close finishes help the team to learn how to handle pressure."
"We have four games to go before the play-offs and we have a chance to reach there."
"We will take it one match at a time and need not worry about how the other teams are playing,” he said.
The 22-year-old Miller said sharing the dressing room with experienced players like Gilchrist and David Hussey besides the other domestic Indian players has been a learning curve for him.
“I get to learn so much by interacting with the local players. It’s a very good team set up and we have a good bunch of guys. Mandeep (Singh) is one such player who has been brilliant in domestic tournaments.”
Miller may have to give way to Gilchrist once the Australian is fit but at the moment he is not thinking about it. “I don’t have much idea about his (Gilchrist) fitness. He might well and play in either the next match or after that but I am more focused on my game and what I contribute to the team.”
Right from the start, the IPL drew his interest and Miller now finds himself in the same league that has attracted the best players from around the world.
“I started my career in 2008 and still remember Brendon McCullum’s innings in the very first IPL match,” Miller told MAIL TODAY . “Playing for the national team remains everyone’s priority and I am no different. As your career unfolds, you look for opportunities and IPL was exactly what I was looking for,” said the Kings XI Punjab batsman.
Miller was part of the Punjab team last year as well, but spent his time on the sidelines. This season Miller has become a vital part of the team set up.
“IPL has been a great opportunity for me. I was mostly the 12th man in the last season but this year I got the chance and I think I’ve faired reasonably well,” he said.
Miller has scored 94 runs from the five matches so far, but what is heartening for him is that he has contributed in winning causes.
An injury to captain Adam Gilchrist allowed Miller to showcase his potential and the South African hasn’t been a disappointment.
“We did start slowly but have done reasonably well. It’s a long tournament so teams can make a comeback. We have won four of our last six matches and most of them were very close."
“Close finishes help the team to learn how to handle pressure."
"We have four games to go before the play-offs and we have a chance to reach there."
"We will take it one match at a time and need not worry about how the other teams are playing,” he said.
The 22-year-old Miller said sharing the dressing room with experienced players like Gilchrist and David Hussey besides the other domestic Indian players has been a learning curve for him.
“I get to learn so much by interacting with the local players. It’s a very good team set up and we have a good bunch of guys. Mandeep (Singh) is one such player who has been brilliant in domestic tournaments.”
Miller may have to give way to Gilchrist once the Australian is fit but at the moment he is not thinking about it. “I don’t have much idea about his (Gilchrist) fitness. He might well and play in either the next match or after that but I am more focused on my game and what I contribute to the team.”
