Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani has backed David Miller after criticism over his decision-making, saying the veteran batter responded with character in the win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Miller had come under scrutiny following Delhi’s narrow loss to Gujarat Titans on April 8, when he opted against taking a single with two runs needed off the final ball. The decision, which denied Kuldeep Yadav the strike, drew criticism after the team fell short despite Miller’s effort to take the game deep.
Days later, the South African found himself in a similar situation and delivered. Chasing 41 off the final four overs against RCB, Miller turned the game in the last over, smashing two sixes off Romario Shepherd before sealing the chase with a boundary to complete a six-wicket win.
“I still believe that he has taken the right call. We trust in you. And he has literally shown us the faith within two games,” Badani said.
“I understand that everyone has an opinion. But to come out of that, I think he has shown character. And I think the world sees that he is somebody who can finish games. He has done that in the past. And we believe in him.”
Badani said the team had fully backed Miller even after the defeat to Gujarat. “If you go back and see the visuals and the way we backed him even after that one-run loss, the conversation from the captain to the coach, to the management, to the players was straightforward. It is absolutely okay, it can happen,” he added.
DC BACK RIZVI, AXAR FIT
Badani also threw his support behind Sameer Rizvi, highlighting the youngster’s impact in key moments.
“If somebody has won you two games single-handedly, first game this year was a man of the match, second game this year was a man of the match, I am happy with it,” he said.
“He is in a great space. In this format, if somebody has won you two games single-handedly, he has actually got three man of the matches from last year. I don’t think many of you would remember that the last game that he played for us was a man of the match,” Badani added.
He also confirmed there were no fitness concerns around captain Axar Patel. “All good. He is fit to play,” he said.
SRH APPROACH COULD SUIT DC
Looking ahead to the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Badani said the opposition’s aggressive approach could work in Delhi’s favour.
“When you have a high-risk side, it also gives you a chance to pick wickets,” he said, pointing to Delhi’s bowling strength this season.
“I think if you go back and see the stats and the numbers, which pretty much tells you that we have possibly been the best bowling side right now. And when you have a high-risk side, it also means that it gives you a chance to pick wickets,” he added.
Delhi head into the contest with confidence in both their finishing ability and bowling attack, as they prepare to face an aggressive Sunrisers Hyderabad side.
