Miller eager to get new IPL chapter underway

Miller had to undergo the compulsory quarantine on arrival in the United Arab of Emirates but he is now able to train with the side following the mandatory isolation period as they prepare for their first game of the competition on 22 September against the Chennai Super Kings.

Having spent eight years with the Kings XI and was responsible for some memorable wins for the franchise, however the change in scenery has been a good thing for the 30 year-old from Durban.

“It’s refreshing coming into a new team environment where things are done differently,” Miller said from their base in the UAE.

“To be in a different environment has been good and to be able to have the chance to play for another team is exciting.

“It’s a completely different atmosphere as you would expect from a different team and I can’t really compare the two to be honest.

“We’ve got a lot of talent in the squad and I am looking forward to getting going.”

The side has formidable talent with the likes of Steve Smith, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Sanju Samson to name a few. Miller knows the deal when it comes to playing in the IPL where there are only four spots for international players.

“I am hoping that I can get picked for that first game but with a new team I’ll have to wait and see what happens in terms of selection.

“As an overseas (player) you accept that with eight or nine internationals in each team there are four or five international quality players sitting on the bench.

“It’s one of those things that you have to accept from a competition like this and just make sure you can contribute if you are not playing.

“Off the field you can train hard and give of yourself to the squad and then just be ready for when that opportunity does come.”

With the bubble being adopted for this season’s IPL, there isn’t much the teams can do but Miller has been able to keep busy.

“We have a beach here for us at the hotel and then each of us got an exercise bicycle that we have in our rooms and I’ve been busy with Zoom calls but with 24 hours in a day there is a lot of time to kill.

“It’s good that we are training so that takes up a lot of time and I’m busy building a house so that is taking up some of my time too but I think when we get going and start playing it will be a lot easier,” Miller added.

With the competition shifting to the UAE from India due to the ongoing pandemic, conditions might vary however Miller doesn’t see it being too different from Indian conditions.

“With only three grounds for the whole competition I do think that the wickets will get slower as the competition goes on but otherwise conditions aren’t too different.

“The wickets will be good for batting and hopefully we can take advantage of that,” he explained.