South African middle-order batsman David Miller is hopeful to end his poor IPL 2019 form and return to the good batting form in the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
In recently concluded IPL 2019, Miller served for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), but he mostly struggled in that tournament. The left-handed middle-order batsman scored 213 runs in 10 innings with an average of 26.62. Though he scored one half-century and two 40s in that tournament, he was highly inconsistent and majorly struggled to perform well. Due to his poor batting form, the KXIP team management later dropped him from the playing XI.
Talking about his IPL form, Miller recently told IANS, “There have been a couple of games where I haven’t done so well. I have been training hard and doing the right things.”
It obviously would have helped had I done well in the IPL – David Miller
Miller feels that it would be great if he performed well in IPL 2019. However, he also added that he could still return to the form in the upcoming Cricket World Cup due to the different conditions.
Miller added, “Yeah, it obviously would have helped had I done well in the IPL and took the form into the World Cup, but what you also do need to realise is that these are two different conditions, India and England.”
The 29-year-old Miller will play his second Cricket World Cup in the upcoming edition. The previous edition (2015) was his maiden Cricket World Cup where he scored 324 runs in seven innings with an average of 64.80. He scored one century in that tournament (138* against Zimbabwe).
Miller also has a good record in England. After batting in nine ODI innings in England, Miller has scored 289 runs with an average of 48.16. He has hit three ODI half-centuries in England, including his best knock of unbeaten 75 runs. These stats can give him confidence ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
Miller said, “It is important to follow the routine and building the confidence, taking each game as it comes.”
Rabada is one of the best in the world – David Miller
Meanwhile, South African young pacer Kagiso Rabada is in brilliant form with the ball in hand. Playing for Delhi Capitals (DC) in IPL 2019, the right-arm pacer Rabada picked up 25 wickets in 12 matches. He just missed winning the Purple Cap of IPL 2019 due to his late injury.
David Miller lauded the 23-year-old South African pacer who will play his first Cricket World Cup in the forthcoming edition.
Miller said about Kagiso Rabada, “He is one of the best in the world. He is a serious competitor and has done extremely well in the IPL.”
Virat Kohli is one of the best in the world – David Miller
Miller also praised the Indian captain Virat Kohli‘s consistent batting form who is the present no.1-ranked Test and ODI batsman.
Miller said, “He (Kohli) is very consistent. He is one of the best in the world, so we got to be on our toes.”
David Miller about Ravichandran Ashwin’s captaincy
Miller also praised the KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin. He believes that the Indian off-spinner has done very well as KXIP captain.
Miller claimed, “He (Ravichandran Ashwin) is really knowledgeable about the game. He motivates the teammates too. He has done really well I would think.”
South Africa will start their journey in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup from the opening match of the tournament. On the opening day of the tournament (30th May), South Africa will face the host side England at The Oval (London).