NEWS
Follow UsDavid Miller played yet another match-winning knock for Gujarat Titans (GT) on Sunday (April 17) to help his side register their fifth win of the season. Miller's unbeaten 51-ball 94, along with the stand-in skipper Rashid Khan's 40 off 21, propelled GT to a three-wicket victory in Pune.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Chris Jordan had a day to forget as he conceded 58 runs from 3.5 overs. His spell included the 18th over, which Rashid took full toll of by hitting 25 runs to tilt the match in his side's favour.
Miller, who walked into the crease in the fourth over, said that the over was the game-changing one of the match.
"Exceptional over, in my opinion that over was the game-changer and he struck it beautifully," Man of the Match Miller said of Rashid's batting at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Referring to his epic century for the Kings XI Punjab franchise which is now called Punjab Kings, the big-hitting Miller said he was looking to express himself in the middle.
"I have been really working hard on my fitness. It does take me back to memory lane, it was sort of play my game, see ball hit ball, with the rate already quite high, I wanted to express myself.
"It came off tonight and pretty chuffed with the innings. Getting in with the position at 16/3 gives me an opportunity to shine, doesn't happen too often but when the ball was new it helps. Releases a lot of pressure, needed someone to help out at the back end," Miller said, adding that luck too smiled on his side in the ongoing campaign.
"First couple of games we played we won close games. This is a close game too. We could've lost 4 out of 6, but instead have won 5 out of 6. Want to keep the gentle strokes coming," Miller said.
Standing in for the injured Hardik Pandya, who missed the game because of stiff groin, Rashid was delighted with the win on his captaincy debut.
"It's a dream to captain the team, but overall the win made it memorable. Special to deliver it with the bat.
"(When Miller walked out) We wanted to take the game deep. We knew we can get 90 in seven overs. We told David to go for it when the ball was in his zone. We have a good lower order that can hit the ball really hard," Rashid said.
When asked about his own batting and playing one batter less, he said, "The discussion was that I haven't got to bat in first five games. I consider myself an all-rounder, want to fulfill that responsibility.
"Yes we are going one batter short but Nos. 6 and 7 and so on need to take responsibility and finish it. I backed my batting skills and had a got discussion with Miller. Stayed focused and tried to hit the ball hard."
(With inputs from PTI)
