South Africa came agonizingly close to clinching their first major title in men’s cricket during the 2024 T20 World Cup. David Miller was at the non-striker’s end when Heinrich Klaasen edged the Proteas within 30 runs of victory, with 30 balls remaining in their chase against India in the final at Barbados. However, Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya orchestrated an extraordinary win, leaving South Africa heartbroken.
The day after the final, an emotional Instagram story by Miller, who was in tears post-match, sparked speculation about his potential retirement from T20Is. Miller has since cleared the air, affirming his commitment to South African cricket and stating that the “best is yet to come.”
“Contrary to reports, I have not retired from T20 international cricket. I will continue to be available for the Proteas. The best is yet to come,” Miller wrote on his Instagram story.
A Bitter Pill for South Africa
Miller faced the first ball of the last over, bowled by Pandya, needing 16 runs to win the T20 World Cup. It seemed like Miller had hit a six, but Suryakumar Yadav performed a stunning boundary catch, throwing the ball back in before his momentum took him over the line and then hopping back to complete the catch. Pandya gave away eight runs and claimed another wicket, securing India’s triumph.
Miller shared his devastation in a heartfelt Instagram story: “I am gutted!! It’s a really tough pill to swallow after what transpired 2 days ago. Words don’t explain how I am feeling. One thing I do know is how proud I am of this unit. This journey was incredible, with highs and lows throughout the entire month. We have endured pain, but I know this team has the resilience and will keep raising the bar.”
South Africa’s Long Wait Continues
This was the closest South Africa had come to winning a major trophy since their readmission to international cricket in 1991. Despite having fielded some of the best teams in the world, the Proteas have famously struggled to get past the semi-finals of major tournaments. Miller, who played in the 2015 World Cup semi-final loss, contributed significantly in the 2024 T20 World Cup, scoring 169 runs at an average of 28.16, with a half-century and a strike rate of 102.42. His best score was an unbeaten 59.
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