Screen grab of David Miller endeavoring to influence a stumping during South Africa’s second ODI against Sri Lanka.The provisions of past India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni are evidently on the climb as far back as his bounce back to outline, as a batsman, in worldwide cricket. Dhoni has been India’s watchman blessed messenger since the ODI series in Australia, playing one match winning bang after another and the example has continued in the home game plan against Aussies too.
At the same time Dhoni was being celebrated in Ranchi before the third ODI, his influence was felt thousands of miles away in South Africa. During a clash between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Super Sport Park in Centurion, the Proteas' main wicket-keeper, Quinton de Kock, exited the game in the 31st over. This forced David Miller to step up as the makeshift keeper. It was a rare occurrence to see Miller in this role during a competitive match, especially since he wasn't even wearing the proper keeping pads.
Proteas’ standard wicket-specialist Quinton de Kock left the field in the 31st over of Sri Lanka’s interest and this provoked master protector David Miller taking up the commitment of stay in wicket-gatekeeper. This was the main gone through Miller was seen keeping in an engaged match and the southpaw didn’t wear the keeper’s pads.
The highlight came in the 32nd over when Miller attempted a lightning-fast stumping off Imran Tahir's bowling. Although it didn't result in a wicket, the effort was so sharp that Faf du Plessis, watching from first slip, couldn't help but compare him to MS Dhoni, the gold standard for quick stumpings in cricket.
Du Plessis was overheard telling Miller, “See you go, please MS.” Having played alongside Dhoni for years at the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, the South African captain knows exactly what elite keeping looks like. Even if it was just a lighthearted comment, Miller's agility behind the stumps was certainly impressive.
The South African captain has seen Dhoni at work from crowdedness, having been a partner of Dhoni’s in the IPL foundation Chennai Super Kings for quite a while.
While this could simply be exchange Miller endeavored stumpting and take behind the stumps was noteworthy in any case.
Led by Quinton de Kock's brilliant 94, South Africa secured a dominant 113-run victory over Sri Lanka on Wednesday, giving them a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
After winning the first match by eight wickets on Sunday, South Africa triumphed again. Despite a late-game collapse where they lost their final six wickets for just 31 runs, finishing with a modest 251, it was more than enough to secure the win.