THE ULTIMATE PRO: VETERAN DAVID MILLER SHOWS HE CAN STILL GET THE JOB DONE

David Miller has seen it all in a T20 career that has spanned 566 matches.

Rarely, though, has it been a view from the bench, where the Paarl Royals captain has been for the last couple of matches in this season's IPL.

With Sunrisers Eastern Cape skipper Tristan Stubbs entrenched as Delhi Capitals’ first-choice 'finisher', the experienced Miller has sometimes been surplus to requirements.

In a recent interview, he admitted that "you always want to play every game" and "obviously it is frustrating."

A meagre return of 123 runs from seven innings at a strike rate of 146.42 prior to Monday's clash against Punjab Kings has not helped his cause either.

But being an IPL veteran, playing in his 16th consecutive season, Miller also understands the complexities surrounding team selection, which helps him keep his chin up.

"I have been around. This is not my first IPL, so I kind of understand the make-up, and [it is] just really to give positive feedback to the rest of the squad. Always being positive and giving what I can towards the team remains really important for me," he said.

"And then just waiting for my opportunity to come again - if it does come around for the rest of the season or not, I just want to remain ready, prepare really well, that is what us players like to do."

This positive mindset certainly allowed Miller to seize his next chance.

The Capitals' entire season was on the line on Monday evening when Stubbs was involved in a terrible mix-up with captain Axar Patel, leaving Delhi teetering on 74/4 after 8.2 overs in pursuit of 217 for victory.

The stakes were certainly high, with Miller having cut the equation down to its bare bones just a couple of days earlier.

"It is four from four - we pretty much need to win [every game] now. We have to win four from four to have a chance of qualifying," he said.

But, like so many times in his career when the cards have been stacked against him, Miller found a way by adding a match-winning 64 off just 34 balls with his skipper Patel. In the process, he struck 51 off 28 balls (3x4, 4x6) - his first half-century of IPL 2026 - when it mattered most for the Capitals.

Again, it was his maturity and experience that helped him walk through the fire and come out on the other side.

"It is a difficult thing, but just trying to stay calm (in the moment)," he said.

"Always a long journey to get to the end, so about staying in the present. Can only control the next ball, so keep reminding myself. Just trying to clear the mind and think clearly."

The victory tasted just a little bit sweeter, for it had come against his former team, Punjab Kings, whom he had captained and previously played his first eight IPL seasons for.

"There is always incentive. It is the nature of league cricket - you go from one team to another. Nice to get the job done and the boys did really well at the back end," he added.