David Miller slammed an unbeaten 94 off 51 balls against the Chennai Super Kings to hand Gujarat Titans a three-wicket at the MCA Stadium, Pune on Sunday. With the win, Hardik Pandya and co go on top of the IPL 2022 points table with 10 points in six games. On the other hand, CSK, with five defeats this season are on the ninth rung. 

Miller’s half-century and a 70-run stand with stand-in skipper Rashid Khan helped the Titans chase 170 runs with one ball to spare. The Afghan hit 40 in 21 deliveries after his side was struggling at 48/4 in the eighth over. 

Also read: CSK failed to execute plans in last over vs Gujarat: Ravindra Jadeja

Gujarat Titans needed 48 runs to win in 18 balls. Chris Jordan was employed in the 18th over when Rashid Khan smashed the Englishman for three sixes and a four. The over amounted for 25 runs and the equation came down to 23 from 12 balls. 

As per Miller, who was named the player of the match, the 18th over changed the game for the Titans. 

Also read: IPL 2022: Umran Malik joins Lasith Malinga, Irfan Pathan in massive bowling feat

“Exceptional over, in my opinion that over was the game-changer and he struck it beautifully,” the South African hard-hitter spoke about Khan’s batting at the post-match presentation. 

Miller had scored 101 runs against the Royal Challengers Bangalore when he represented the Kings XI Punjab, now Punjab Kings, in 2013. He said the 94-run knock, which included eight boundaries and six maximums, took him down memory lane. 

Also read: Watch: Pujara’s record breaking 201 on Sussex debut

“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. 

“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,” he added.