Being around a long time, one grows and matures in the role: David Miller

South African middle-order batsman David Miller is pleased to have ticked a few goals he had listed for himself ahead of the recent season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

The Proteas white-ball specialist wanted to nail the role of a finisher for his franchise Gujarat Titans. He did that to devastating effect by closing out at least four matches, including the 1st Qualifier against the Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Miller's talent has never been in doubt, but during the better of last 3-4 years, he had struggled for consistency. So, what changed for the southpaw this season?

The veteran cricketer believes that he has started to understand his game and manage pressure situations better than he used to in the past.

"Scoring the amount of runs I did, closing out a couple of games is something I looked forward to before the start of IPL. Batting in the middle order, you do want to finish off games. So it was nice to tick that box," Miller told the media ahead of South Africa's T20I series opener in Delhi.

"I wouldn't say I have done anything different. But, being around a long time now, one grows and matures in the role I play for many years, and I understand my game a lot better," he said.

Despite playing international cricket for such a long period of time, does he still get nervous?

Miller responded in the affirmative and added that he understands his game better now than before.

"I still get nervous and go through negative thoughts, but I can deal with that pressure a lot better. Also, understanding my game better in what I need to do has helped," he added.

With him being a senior player in the dressing room, Miller sees himself as a calming influence, and he is relishing the opportunity to be a guiding force for the new blokes.

"For me, I see myself trying to create that calmness in the change room, trying to just clarify a few things with younger guys to what they need to do better," he said.

"Really enjoyable to be giving advice, but along with that, you are always developing as a player and also learning from youngsters about their mindset, how they approach the game," Miller added.

Miller also shrugged off the suggestions that he has extra pressure on his shoulders due to being a senior player.

"Not any extra pressure or weight on my shoulders. In every international game that I have played, whether as a senior or junior, there has always been a sense of pressure. So I don't think it changes. With experience, I deal with it a lot better."

Miller smashed 481 runs in 16 IPL innings at an average/strike rate of 68.71/142.73, and the Proteas will hope that he carries the form in the T20I series against India.