David Miller reveals Gujarat Titans ‘really upset’ with SA batter for missing GT’s IPL 2023 opener against CSK

South Africa’s David Miller will miss the curtain-raiser of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Champions in their debut season, Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans will kickstart their title defence against four-time winners Chennai Super Kings at the famous Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 31 (Friday). The defending champions will be without power-hitter Miller, who was the third-highest run-getter for Pandya and Co. in IPL 2022.

Miller had missed South Africa’s series opener against the West Indies as the star batter was returning from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the time. The Miller-less side suffered a 48-run defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the One Day International (ODI) series opener at the Buffalo Park in East London. With South Africa tasked to defeat the Netherlands in their next assignment which can also seal Proteas’ berth for the ODI World Cup, Cricket South Africa wants all seasoned campaigners to remain available for the two-match series.

ALSO READ: ‘I heard this is MS Dhoni’s last season…’: CSK legend triggers speculations with humongous claim ahead of IPL 2023

Thus, the South African players will join their respective IPL teams after the Netherlands series on April 3. “They (Gujarat Titans) were really upset. It’s always a big thing playing in Ahmedabad. I am a bit disappointed to be missing that but to put on the green and gold has always been a huge privilege and honour and we have got some work to do in those two games against Netherlands,” Miller told ESPNCricinfo. The Netherlands will meet hosts South Africa in the series opener on March 31st (Friday). The series decider between the Proteas and Orange Army will take place on April 2nd in Johannesburg.

Miller has played 105 matches in the world’s richest T20 league. The 33-year-old has amassed 2455 in 105 IPL matches. Miller has also plied his trade with Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the cash-rich league. The Proteas batter was roped in by Pandya’s GT franchise for INR crore at the IPL auction. Though Miller will miss the blockbuster opener between CSK and GT, the Proteas star will join the Gujarat camp ahead of his side’s second match at the IPL 2023. Pandya’s Gujarat Titans will meet Delhi Capitals (DC) in their second IPL 2023 fixture at Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 4.