David Miller has played a fair number of cricket matches in the colossal Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
None were more consequential than consecutive Indian Premier League finals with the Gujarat Titans
The Proteas left-handed batter would love nothing more than to play the biggest game of his life there next Sunday, when the Cricket World Cup final is set to be staged at the 135 000-seater stadium.
But before Miller’s mind can drift towards dreaming the previously impossible dream, there’s the small matter of facing an Afghanistan side at the same venue on Friday (10.30am start, SA time) – and then, of course, next Thursday’s much-anticipated semi-final against old foes Australia.
No going through the motions
It would be easy for South Africa to go through the motions against the Afghans with their semi-final place already secured, but after the record defeat to hosts India in their last outing, Miller ensured there will be no lack of motivation for the Proteas to return to winning ways in a hurry.
“It’s a place (Narendra Modi Stadium) that you kind of want to play cricket. It’s a great facility – nice wickets, good outfield, and if it’s a full, packed house tomorrow – I really hope it is – it’s always a good spectacle here at this ground,” Miller said yesterday.
“And I’m really excited for what lies ahead, potentially being here in the final. It will be a great, great achievement.
“But for us, it’s just (about) continuing what we’ve really done in this World Cup, and just nailing down on areas that we want to improve on from the previous game.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to showcase what we can do and get some momentum into that semi.”
Equally, with South Africa’s mast already having been lowered by the Netherlands at this World Cup, there will certainly be no complacency against an Afghanistan team that have taken down a couple of higher-ranked opponents in India to leave them still in contention for the last remaining semi-final spot.
“They’re certainly a team growing in confidence. They’ve shown that they can compete. I mean this World Cup, they’ve done really, really well ... beaten some big teams,” Miller said.
“It’s something that we’re very aware of at World Cups – that there’s no easy game in the game of cricket. They’re a really strong team, and hence they have a chance to make the semi-finals.
“So, it’s good to see. I mean, that’s the joys of the World Cup. You see different teams doing well ... It’s great to see, good for cricket.”
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Proven match-winners
The Afghanistan side certainly possesses a host of match-winners, such as 21-year-old opening batters Ibrahim Zadran – who struck his team’s first World Cup century in their last match against Australia – and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Miller’s Gujarat Titans star teammate Rashid Khan will lead a cast of impressive spinners in the form of Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed and Mohammed Nabi.
Miller, though, is acutely aware of the threat.
“It’s been good to watch Afghanistan going the way that they have with the spinners that they’ve got, the batters up front … they’ve done really well. Their opening stands have been really good, and then (they’ve had) contributions throughout the innings from the other batters,” he said.
“It’s normally a good wicket, but there probably will be a bit of spin, knowing Afghanistan with their spinners that they’ve got.
“So, just kind of being aware of that (is important) and obviously, as I mentioned, adapting on the day to whatever is thrown at us.”
A wonderful knock by @IZadran18 to put Afghanistan in a good position. They started well in the 2nd half and played good cricket for 70 overs but the last 25 overs from @Gmaxi_32 was more than enough to change their fortune.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 7, 2023
From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been… pic.twitter.com/M1CBulAgKw