David Miller, who is coming off a brilliant IPL season, slammed a 22-ball 50 against India in the first T20I, of the five-match series, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Thursday. The visitors won the match by seven wickets and now lead the series 1-0.
The 32-year-old finished with 64 runs off 31 balls with the help of four boundaries and five maximums.
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Chasing 212 runs, South Africa were 81/3 in the ninth over when Miller walked in. After playing a couple quiet overs, the South African smashed Harshal Patel for a boundary and maximum in consecutive deliveries. Axar Patel was then hit for 17 runs in the 13th over and Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for 14.
Miller brought his fifth T20I half-century in 22 balls and was unbeaten at 56 off 26 at the start of the 17th over when South Afria needed 34 in 18 balls. He hit Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a six on the first ball of the 19th over and then handed off the strike to van der Dussen who smashed three consecutive boundaries.
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Chahal, bowling the final over, was smashed for a four off a reverse sweep and van der Dussen sealed the game for the Proteas.
David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen shared a 131-run stand for the fourth wicket. This was the highest T20I run chase by South Africa.
Highest successful T20I run chases by SA
212 vs Ind Delhi 2022
206 vs WI Johannesburg 2007
200 vs Ind Dharamsala 2015
189 vs Ind Centurion 2018
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“Obviosuly a lot of hard work over the last few years understanding my game. Rassie played so well at the back end. Just try and hang in there was the chat. He was trying to go but he wasn’t getting it. Just about waiting for that loose ball. Belief. Understanding winning more games and more consistency gives you more belief. I am pretty open to bat anywhere. Just want to make a difference,” Miller said after the game.