India vs SA 2022: David Miller WARNS KL Rahul's team, says THIS ahead of 1st T20I

David Miller is enjoying every bit of his new-found star status after playing a pivotal role in Gujarat Titans' IPL 2022 triumph with 481 runs. More importantly, he won at least four games in a finisher's role.

South Africa batter David Miller (Source: Twitter)

South Africa batter David Miller made a big statement ahead of the opening T20I against India and said that now he has the ability to ''understand the game a lot better'' and handle pressure with consummate ease. Moreover, Miller's intensity is still the same as it was more than a decade ago, when he made his debut.

Miller is enjoying every bit of his new-found star status after playing a pivotal role in Gujarat Titans' IPL 2022 triumph with 481 runs. More importantly, he won at least four games in a finisher's role.

''Scoring the number of runs I did, and closing out a couple of games is something I looked forward to before the start of IPL. Batting in the middle order, you do want to finish off games. So it was nice to tick that box,'' Miller said on the eve of South Africa's five-match T20I series against India.

Mark it off on your calendars 

The #INDvSA T20I series in on our doorstep #INDvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/oYvfxZLBgl — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 7, 2022

In the past, the lack of consistency has been Miller's bane despite his voluminous talent, but he feels that he hasn't tweaked his game much. But it's the understanding that has made the difference.

''I wouldn't say I have done anything differently. Being around a long time now, one grows and matures in the role I play for so many years, I understand my game a lot better,'' he said.

''I still get nervous and go through negative thoughts but I can deal with that pressure a lot better. Understanding my game better in what I need to do has helped,'' he explained.

The #INDvSA T20I series draws ever closer #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/Nurib2z380 — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 4, 2022

With five matches left to complete 100 games for South Africa in the shortest format, Miller feels that he brings calmness to the change-room. 

''For me, I see myself trying to create that calmness in the change room, trying to just clarify a few things with younger guys about what they need to do better.

''Really enjoyable to be giving advice but along with that you are always developing as a player and also learning from youngsters about their mindset, how they approach the game,'' Miller added.

His IPL performance won't put any extra pressure on him

''Not any extra pressure or weight on my shoulders. In every international game that I have played whether as a senior or junior, there has always been a sense of pressure. So I don't think it changes. Just that with the experience I deal with it a lot better," Miller said.

Vacation to the Maldives helped a lot

''It's been pretty hard with so many games of IPL but I have been working quite hard on the physical side of things. I feel fresh and good to go after a two-day break in the Maldives. Pretty good for the mind,'' the Proteas batter concluded.

Squads

India: KL Rahul (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen.