Miller out to use India series to cement T20 World Cup spot

Veteran South Africa batter David Miller is keen to use the upcoming five-match T20I series against India to push his case for a place in the Proteas' squad at next year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Miller has been a mainstay in South Africa's white-ball teams across the majority of his career and was part of the team that narrowly lost the most recent T20 World Cup final to India in Barbados.

A recent hamstring injury and a stint in a domestic T20 tournament in England has seen Miller miss out on many of the Proteas' white-ball fixtures in 2025, with the 36-year-old's most recent appearance for his country coming in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand at the start of March.

But with any lingering injury issues shaken off and the next installment of the T20 World Cup less than two months away, Miller is eager to make the most of his opportunity during South Africa's five-match series in India to ensure he earns a recall for the 20-over showcase that commences on February 7.

"It's just great to be back. It's been great watching the guys back at home even though I always feel I want to be there, but the guys have been doing so well, and it's been lovely to watch," Miller said from Cuttack.

"It's been an interesting couple of months for me, just being at home and reflecting on a few things was really cool. I moved into a different space by trying out different things with my body and tapping into a few different training regimes. It was actually a really good time away. I enjoyed it. You've got to take the positives from what's negative so it was really good. I'm feeling strong. I'm feeling fit and I'm feeling ready to go."

While the T20 World Cup is at the forefront of Miller's mind, the hard-hitting batter is also keen to stake his claim for a place in the Proteas' ODI setup ahead of the next ICC Men's Cricket World Cup that South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.

Miller hit 356 runs in the most recent 50-over World Cup in India in 2023 and the left-hander is keen to sit down with South Africa coach Shukri Conrad shortly to see if he remains in his plans for the home tournament.

"I haven't had good chats yet with Shukri but now that I am back in the mix, we'll be opening up those conversations and seeing where we're at," Miller said.

"The ODI World Cup is just under two years away, there's a lot of new players that have come through and a big pool of players now that are doing really well. I feel like I can add something with my experience. In terms of selection, you're never guaranteed with certain things in life so it's a conversation that will unfold as the months go on and see where we're at."

And while Miller admitted there was still disappointment within South Africa's squad from their devastating loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, he said a breakthrough victory at the 20-over tournament is not far away.

"I've spoken to a lot of different people, and teams who have been very successful over the years with different trophies and World Cups," Miller said.

"I don't think there's one recipe to win a World Cup. I think it takes a group effort, management and players included. It's standing up when the moments matter."

South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.

Series schedule:

First T20I: December 9, Cuttack
Second T20I: December 11, Chandigarh
Third T20I: December 14, Dharamsala
Fourth T20I: December 17, Lucknow
Fifth T20I: December 19, Ahmedabad