New Delhi: Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has defended David Miller following the dramatic one run defeat suffered by Delhi Capitals against the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
The tense finish saw Delhi needing two runs from the final two deliveries. Miller, batting with Kuldeep Yadav at the non striker’s end, chose not to take a single on the penultimate ball in an attempt to finish the match himself. However, he failed to connect with the last delivery bowled by Prasidh Krishna, and Kuldeep was run out while attempting a desperate single. The result handed Gujarat Titans a narrow one run victory.
Despite the criticism that followed, Gavaskar said Miller’s decision was based on confidence rather than poor judgement. According to him, the South African batter believed he could hit the winning runs, especially after striking the ball well in the closing stages of the match.
Gavaskar acknowledged that giving Kuldeep the strike might have been an option, particularly after the spinner had managed a single earlier in the over. However, he emphasised that Miller’s mindset was shaped by his belief that he could finish the game himself.
Former England national cricket team captain Kevin Pietersen also supported Miller’s approach. Pietersen suggested that the batter likely believed he could at least secure a single from the final delivery, while also having the ability to clear the boundary if needed.
He added that since Miller had already played a crucial role in bringing Delhi close to victory, it would be unfair to place the blame solely on him for the narrow loss.
The dramatic finish turned Miller from a potential match winner into a target for criticism, but both Gavaskar and Pietersen stressed that the decision came from a batter trusting his ability in a high pressure moment.
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