David Miller

A world T20 debacle in 2010 pushed Cricket South Africa to look for fresh and young talents who can dominate T20 cricket. David Miller was a successful batter for the Dolphins in South African domestic cricket and was selected for the tour of the West Indies, where he made his T20 debut. Miller showed exemplary composure on his debut and steered the team from troubled situations to a respectable total. His qualities were valued and he was given a chance in the ODI series that followed the T20Is. He continued making valuable contributions for the team batting lower down the order when he was asked to go for big hits.

The IPL came as a success for Miller, who dominated the league in the 2013 edition after making his debut in 2012. He made 418 runs from 12 innings with an average of 59.71 and a staggering strike rate of 161. He followed a successful 2013 IPL with two back-to-back strong seasons for the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL 2014 and 2015. He became a vital cog in the KXIP batting engine and drove the team’s fortune for three years in a row.

However, he could not maintain his highs and his performance dipped both in international cricket as well as in the IPL. Since the IPL  2015, Miller has not crossed the 300-mark in any of the past seasons.

Like many other players, Miller, too, has earned big money from the IPL. Not only monetarily, the South African who made his international debut back in 2010, cemented his berth in South Africa’s ODI and T20I teams on the back of a career-defining IPL season in 2013 and has been a regular feature for his country since then. 

Miller has the calibre of turning any game on its head but having said that, the explosive batter lacks consistency. Despite all of that, his high strike rates and ability to dominate both spinners and fast bowlers make him one of the best finishers of modern times. 

The batter hit his maiden international century in 2015– a 130 against the West Indies– and bettered his performances against the same opposition a couple of moons later. He was then selected to don South African colours during the World Cup held Down Under, later that year. Miller was also part of the Proteas during the 2014 as well as 2016 T20 World Cups. The finisher also played in the Champions Trophy in 2017 and the World Cup of 2019. 

The South African’s contributions in the leagues, across the globe, have been unparalleled. Miller has provided his services in leagues like the Big Bash, Caribbean Premier League, Abu Dhabi T10 League, Pakistan Super League, and T20 Blast. 

Before the IPL 2021 auction, Miller was released by Punjab Kings and was bought by Rajasthan for INR 75 lakhs. After missing the first few features in 2021, the batter got the opportunity to don the Pink jersey and starred on his Royals debut, where his compact 62 took his side home against the fiery Delhi Capitals. After the IPL got suspended, Miller went to Abu Dhabi to play a useful hand for Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL. 

In February 2022, David Miller was acquired by the Gujarat Titans in the IPL auction. He played a crucial role in their maiden title victory that season, amassing 481 runs at an impressive average of 68.71. His consistent performances established him as a key figure in the team’s success. Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Miller was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for INR 7.5 crores in the auction.

Expanding his presence in franchise cricket, Miller joined the Welsh Fire for the 2022 season of The Hundred in England. A few months later, in July 2022, he was appointed captain of the Barbados Royals for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). In June 2023, he further broadened his T20 career by signing with the Texas Super Kings for the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States.

On the international front, Miller was named in South Africa’s squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His aggressive batting was instrumental during South Africa’s 2022 tour of India, where he dominated the opposition. Later that year, for the T20 series against England, he was appointed as South Africa’s captain. In October 2022, he showcased his batting prowess by smashing his second T20I century against India at the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium in Assam.

Miller’s remarkable performances earned him a spot in the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year in 2021. He was subsequently included in South Africa’s squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, where he emerged as one of their standout players. Throughout the tournament, he amassed 356 runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 108. His most notable innings came in the semi-final against Australia at Eden Gardens, where he scored a magnificent 101.

In May 2024, Miller was once again named in South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup. His contributions were vital in helping the team reach their first-ever World Cup final, although they ultimately fell short against India.

During the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Miller continued to impress on the big stage. In the semi-final against New Zealand in Lahore, he scored an unbeaten 100 off 67 balls. Despite his valiant effort, South Africa was defeated by 50 runs. This century, however, set a new record for the fastest in Champions Trophy history, surpassing the previous mark held by Virender Sehwag and Josh Inglis, who had reached the milestone in 77 balls.

Miller’s ability to perform under pressure and his leadership qualities have solidified his status as one of South Africa’s most reliable middle-order batters. With his experience and aggressive style of play, he continues to be a key asset for both his national team and various franchise leagues worldwide.

(As of April 2025)