After being an integral part of the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) set-up, South African batsman David Miller is looking forward to his maiden stint with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE, starting September 19.
Miller made his IPL debut in 2012 and played 79 matches for Kings XI, scoring 1850 runs at an average of 34.26 and a strike-rate of 138.78.
However, the franchise parted ways with the player ahead of IPL 2020 auction where the Royals showed faith on him and roped him for INR 75 lakhs.
Miller is thankful of his new franchise for that vote of confidence and is feeling excited about his stint, which will also see him share the dressing room with some familiar faces.
"I've known some of the guys at the Royals having played with and against some of them. I wouldn't say that I know them too well but, obviously, I've known them as competitors. Tom Curran is someone I know pretty well and have got on really well with him in the past," Miller told IANS from Dubai.
"Andrew Tye I played with for the Kings XI Punjab. Oshane Thomas as well...I've played with him in Jamaica. I've also played with Ankit Rajpoot and Manan Vohra for the Kings XI."
"So, I've actually played with quite a few of the guys but I am really looking forward to meeting with the guys with whom I haven't played much and the whole of the team," he added.
The 31-year-old has just finished the necessary quarantine phase and is anticipating a rigorous training period in the coming weeks like the rest of his teammates.
Miller said it hasn't been easy being regularly tested amid COVID-19 pandemic. But he also realises why the authorities don't want to leave anything to faith.
"I've been tested around six or seven times since the whole thing started. I've been hearing that moving forward we're going to be having a test every four to five days so there' going to be some tests coming down our noses."
"It's a very uncomfortable feeling but it's obviously important, we need to do it and you do get used to these things with time."
Miller also recalled the incident that took place during the 2015 edition of the IPL. A big six from him in Kolkata hit a policeman's left eye and he lost his eyesight.
"It was quite a big issue, to be honest with you. It was extremely serious and I think I blinded the policeman and it was quite a situation that we had. I still remember the shot and how it went through the air and everything unravelled in a couple of days actually," he said.
"It came out in the press and the newspapers and was quite tough to deal with, to be completely honest with you. Fortunately, that is not going to be happening this year without the crowds."
"This will be my first time playing in front of no crowds. But back in South Africa, we're used to playing four-day games in front of no crowds; there's maybe just a man and his dog there to watch. T20 and IPL, though, is going to be very different with no crowds, to be honest," Miller concluded.
