David Miller wants to finish career with 2027 ODI World Cup title on home soil
South Africa batter David Miller is hoping to end his international career with a major title, with next year’s ODI World Cup on home soil firmly in his sights.
The 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November. The tournament will feature a revamped format, with a preliminary stage followed by the group stage, Super 7 and knockout rounds.
Miller, 37, has been a mainstay of South Africa’s white-ball setup and has also established himself as one of the most sought-after players in franchise cricket, including the IPL. With more than 4,600 runs from 178 ODIs, the left-hander is now eyeing what could be one of the final major chapters of his career.
“Yeah, I am really looking forward to it (2027 World Cup). For me, it’s a goal that I want to achieve. I would love to finish off late in my career with a trophy,” Miller told JioStar.
“So, for me, it’s a goal that I would love to be a part of that World Cup team. It’s something that is never guaranteed, and I’ll definitely, from now until then, be focused on aiming to make that team and to contribute the best I can.
“Obviously, it will be very special, being at home in front of our fans, and in a place that I’ve played for so many years. So, it would be fantastic to be a part of that team,” he added.
Miller has built his reputation around his ability to bat in the middle order and finish innings, a role he believes takes years to master.
Asked what he is most proud of in his career, Miller pointed to his consistency as a finisher.
“Probably the fact that I’ve made a career by batting in the middle order and finishing games, that would be something I’m most proud of. It’s something that takes a long time to kind of conquer and master.
“I’m still learning all the time, but at least I’ve had a long career in that department, and I’ve really enjoyed going about chasing innings, especially,” said Miller, who has also played 140 T20Is.
The Southpaw picked his unbeaten 101 for Kings XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 IPL as his favourite innings. Miller’s century came during a successful chase and was his first hundred in the IPL and T20 cricket.
“I think the 101 that I scored against RCB, the fact that it was a chase, chasing down a score and scoring a hundred, my first hundred in the IPL, my first T20 hundred, was a knock that felt the most rewarding,” he said.
“I think there was a lot at stake there, and it kind of set my career up if I look back at it now. Then there was another knock that I’ll always remember as well, the one in Durban against Australia. We chased down a score there as well and I scored a hundred, 118 not out or something.
“So, those two knocks under pressure, scoring hundreds, they’ll always kind of stand out,” he added.
Miller also singled out Gujarat Titans’ title triumph in their debut IPL season as his favourite moment in the tournament.
“My favourite moment in the IPL… there have been many, but we obviously play to win, so definitely winning the IPL for Gujarat Titans would be that,” he said.
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