Bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab are very much an inspired lot despite losing 10 of their 12 league games, insists David Miller.

– Twitter reacts to DD’ IPL win over CSK
– DD keen to press for win against CSK

Last year’s finalists suffered their seventh straight defeat on Monday against Sunrisers Hyderabad but they will be enthused by Miller’s breathtaking batting display.

The left-handed batsman hit 89 not out off 44 balls as Punjab made a bold bid to chase down a stiff target of 186 runs only to fall short by five runs.

It was Miller’s best display of the season and he is keen to extend that in Punjab’s remaining games against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday and Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.

“I will take a lot of confidence from this knock. It will give me a lot of self belief. I haven’t had an amazing IPL but I have definitely been in the hunt,” he said.

Dwelling on Punjab’s poor run this season, Miller feels they have not lacked in motivation and effort  but the results have not gone their way.

“I think we have been really up for every single game,” he said. 

“Everyone has been really geared up in the games we have played so far. It is a privilege to be in this competition.

“As individuals we don’t need any motivation other than being a part of this competition.

“I don’t think it is a lack of trying but we haven’t quite performed.”

Miller will be up against his South African teammate and powerhitter AB de Villiers when they line-up at the PCA Stadium in Mohali today.

An unabashed fan of de Villiers, Miller and is eager to emulate the senior batsman’s commitment to every shot he plays.

“He is the best in the world. He is very special. Not many people can do what he does.

The freedom, the commitment he shows towards his shots and the enjoyment factor when he plays out there is something that I would love to take from him,” he told iplt20.com.

Punjab have nothing to lose and will be playing for pride but Bangalore have everything to gain as a win will boost their prospects of making the playoff cut.

They are currently in fifth spot with 13 points from 11 games.