Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya lauded his teammate David Miller after the South African’s for his showing in the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2022, which helped the tournament newcomers beat Rajasthan Royals on their way to the final.
Perhaps the most impressive overseas star performer in IPL 2022, Miller has been a cricketer rejuvenated in the tournament. Despite playing the difficult middle-order role, the batsman has blasted 449 runs from 15 innings of the competition while averaging 64.14 and carrying a strike-rate of 141.19.
On the big night against a star-studded RR bowling attack, he helped the Titans ace a difficult chase of 189-run target by smashing an unbeaten 68 off 38 balls, including three consecutive sixes in the final over when the Titans needed 16 off the last six balls.
Also read 👉 Miller guides Gujarat Giants to IPL 2022 finals in their maiden season
Hardik showered the highest praise any captain can on his player by stating he is “proud” of Miller at the post-match interview. The South African was later awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his great batting exploits.
While the left-hander has looked incredibly upskilled from his previous stints in the IPL, he personally believes it is the role-clarity and the backing provided to him by Hardik and the Titans support staff that has helped him flourish to this extent.
“I’ve been given a role, I felt extremely backed from the outset. My personal game – I’m enjoying my role, I’ve been playing for many years now. Understanding my game a lot better,”
he said.
Pandya added that he is maintaining a balanced outlook in victories and trying to keep his emotions in check ahead of the summit clash, as he has done for the entire season.
“I’ve started to balance things in my life. Has been a constant effort through the last couple of years. In the end, my family, my son, my wife, and my brother as well have played a big role. They kind of allowed me to get neutral in life.”
Despite obvious chinks in their armoury, the Titans topped the points table for the league stage with 10 wins from 14 matches, finding heroes in various challenging situations on their way to winning the Qualifier 1 and cementing their place in the final on May 29.
