Miller stresses on impact
Gujarat Titans batter has performed the finisher's role with distinction
For someone who has the ability to deliver maximum impact, South African batter David Miller reckons averages in T20 cricket will gradually lose relevance and strike rate will be the only barometer of success.
Over the past couple of years, Miller has performed the finisher's role with distinction both for Gujarat Titans and his national team.
With seven scores in excess of 250 plus this IPL season, the batters have taken the power game to the next level, fuelling the strike rate debate.
"We've seen some high scores this year. And it's been incredible batting by a few teams and few individual players in this IPL. And look, I always see everyone judges a batter on the average," Miller told PTI Videos.
"But in T20 cricket, it can be difficult to judge someone purely on that. The top three batters, definitely you can because of the number of overs they get to bat. When it comes to the middle order, it has always been the strike rates and what kind of impact the batter has had in the game.
"I suppose as we move forward, it becomes more and more about impact. How impactful are you in the game?
We've seen some high scores this year. And it's been incredible batting by a few teams and few individual players in this IPL. And look, I always see everyone judges a batter on the average,"
– David Miller, Gujarat Titans batter
Depending on the situation. If we're needing 15 an over, can you do it? And that's, I think, what guys are going to have to select teams on their match-winning ability," said the 34-year-old. Talking about the T20 World Cup next month, Miller is looking forward to intense battles with likes of Jasprit Bumrah. "There are so many good Indian players. But me being a batter facing the bowlers, Bumrah is bowling well at the moment. And he has been a world-class bowler for many years. He's a threat to me, as well as every other batter in the World Cup," said the southpaw.
He also showered praise on fellow Titans' batter Sai Sudharsan, who is in the middle of his most productive season in the IPL.
"He's an incredibly talented player. Still got a long career ahead of him. I've enjoyed watching him play. I love the way that he preps.”