Gujarat Titans, the defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, will open their 2023 season against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Hardik Pandya-led team would be without a critical member, David Miller. The South African batsman will join GT but will miss the first game because he will play for South Africa in the ODI series against the Netherlands.
Miller said ahead of the second ODI against the West Indies that the Titans were “upset” that he would miss the IPL 2023 opener. “They (the Gujarat Titans) were upset. Playing in Ahmedabad is always a big deal. I’m disappointed to miss it, but wearing the green and gold has always been a big privilege and honor, and we have some work to do in those two games against the Netherlands,” Miller was reported as saying.
South African players will miss a couple of IPL 2023 games as the national team travels to the Netherlands for two World Cup Super League (WCSL) matches. With the IPL 2023 beginning on March 31, South Africa will meet the Netherlands in two one-day internationals (ODIs) on March 31 and April 2.
Miller will miss the Gujarat Titans’ first match against the Chennai Super Kings but will return in time for the second match against the Delhi Capitals on April 4—though his availability will likely depend on any travel tiredness.
“We were never given an alternative,” Miller continued. “However, we’ve got our strongest group on the field and a lot of work to do in those two games, so it’ll be wonderful to focus on that.”
Last year, the veteran South African batter was one of the heroes of the Titans’ IPL debut victory. Miller scored 481 runs in 16 IPL 2022 matches at an average of 68.71, with a high of 94 not out and a strike rate of 142.73. The South African also showed disappointment at not being named captain of the national ODI team.
Miller stated, “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested.” “I’ve truly liked my trip with the Proteas and the experience I’ve gained.” Even though I am not captain, I am not resentful or hostile toward anyone. I want to give my all to the squad and help Aiden.
