Dubai, Sep 14 (UNI) South African batsman David Miller who looks up to former India skipper MS Dhoni as a great finisher of the game wants to follow his footsteps and maintain calmness in crucial run chases.
Miller who represented Kings XI Punjab for nine years will feature in the IPL 2020 for a new franchise, the Rajasthan Royals starting from September 19 in the UAE.
"I absolutely love the way Dhoni goes about his business. Certainly his calmness - you just think he's always under control. The way he portrays himself, that's something he's extremely good at and I do enjoy that about him. I try and give off the same energy," Miller was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo'.
"But in terms of an actual chase, he's got his strengths and weaknesses as a batsman and so do I. I tend to be in awe of some of his chases rather than "I want to bat like him." I suppose I just want to finish games like he does.
"Technique-wise and the way you go about it, we all have our own ways. I don't think I can rate myself or put myself in a category.
"We'll see how my career unfolds and finishes and then we can look back and sort of judge. Definitely Dhoni is one of the best finishers ever; he's proven it many times. I love watching him play."
Talking about the consistency level falling in the last two years, Miller said, The last couple of years I haven't been playing for Kings XI. I suppose that's one of the reasons why I haven't been winning games as well. But in terms of consistency, I feel I'm better than ever before. I'm a lot more experienced now. I know what I'm expected to do.
"In the IPL I had one bad season for Kings XI - and when I say bad season, it wasn't as good as the previous ones that I had. It wasn't a horrific season, to say the least."
Miller had a breakout IPL season in 2013, his second year with Kings XI Punjab, when he made 418 runs in 12 matches, including a 38-ball 101 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
In the following season, he scored 446 runs with a strike rate of 149.16. He has not been able to bat in that range ever since.
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