David Miller, the seasoned middle-order batsman from the Gujarat Titans, was dismayed after an overwhelming defeat, labeling the event as “one of those results” that occurred on a challenging night. During an unusual match, the Gujarat Titans recorded their lowest ever IPL score, getting bundled out for a meager total in two digits, shocking their home supporters.
Playing against the Delhi Capitals, Miller managed a skimpy score of 2, quickly becoming a victim of a remarkable diving catch by Rishabh Pant, which later became one of the standout moments earning Pant the Player of the Match accolade.
Reflecting on the pitch conditions and the nature of dismissals, Miller admitted the surface was slightly tricky, describing it as “a bit sticky,” though he firmly believed that it didn’t justify the bizarre nature of the dismissals observed. Also lending insight into specific instances, he said, “There were a couple of wickets that were really unlucky. Shubman Gill, for instance, played a bit early and got caught at cover. On another day, that could have been a boundary.”
Addressing the team’s performance during the powerplay, where the team lost four vital wickets including his own, Miller pointed out the added difficulty of bouncing back from such a dismal start. “You are not going to win too many games when you are three or four wickets down in the powerplay,” he stated. He further lamented the total score saying, “A score of 120+ would have been at least something presentable for the bowlers to defend. But falling below 100 was just not enough.”
Despite the defeat, the South African international emphasized the team’s resilient spirit, recalling their history of bouncing back even when the odds were against them. “We were below par tonight and no excuses can cover that. But if everyone just plays the way they can, I think everything is pretty sweet,” said Miller.
With the Gujarat Titans having faced their third loss in the last four games, Miller stressed the absence of a need for panic. He reinforced that the present performance anomaly wasn’t a definitive pattern that called for drastic changes within the squad or their approach.
In a motivational wrap up to his reflections, Miller urged his team to look in the mirror and brace themselves for coming matches. “Everyone wrote us off the last two years, and we found ourselves in the finals both times. So, it’s just about everyone sticking to their contributions for the team,” he asserted with a hopeful tone.
The defeat undoubtedly put the team in a tough spot, but with seasoned players like Miller, and a spirit of resilience firmly infused into their ethos, the Gujarat Titans are likely to recalibrate and come back stronger in the forthcoming games. Their journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and thrilling nature of cricket, where fortunes can turn in mere overs, and past champions can face unexpected hurdles on their quest for glory.