David Miller expressed his surprise at receiving a full toss from Hardik Pandya in the last over during the 2024 T20 World Cup final. He admitted feeling a sense of disappointment, believing he let his country and teammates down in that crucial moment.
In a reflective mood following South Africa's defeat to India, the all-rounder recalled the dramatic final over when his team needed 16 runs to clinch victory. He revealed that he was caught off guard by the full-toss delivery, resulting in a mistimed shot that ended up in Suryakumar Yadav's hands for a spectacular catch. Miller's demeanour suggested profound regret, as he grappled with the outcome that dashed South Africa’s hopes.
"Sport isn’t fair to everyone," Miller told ESPNCricinfo. "I wouldn’t have approached that ball any differently, apart from executing better timing. I had a full toss in the back of my mind, but it caught me a bit off guard, and I missed it slightly. There was a little breeze at the time, coming across us, not directly at us."
Yadav's catch, widely regarded as one of the tournament's best moments, came at a critical juncture, with Miller representing South Africa's last chance to turn the game around. Despite feeling he had applied the right amount of force to the shot, Miller watched as the ball hung in the air long enough for Yadav to make the catch, sealing South Africa's fate.
"The margins in cricket are incredibly tiny, and that’s what makes it so frustrating. I thought I hit it well enough, and you can sense when a shot is going to be tight. I was hopeful, but it just didn't carry as I expected," he reflected.
In that pivotal moment, as the opportunity for a maiden World Cup title slipped away, Miller confronted a swirl of emotions. "Frustration, disappointment, failure—all these negative feelings flooded in. It was my moment to win the game, but sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. I felt I let down my country, myself, and my teammates. It’s a tough reality to come to terms with."