South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2026 plans have been hit due to injury concerns after David Miller suffered a groin injury during Paarl Royals’ SA20 match against Joburg Super Kings. The left-handed batsman, who was selected as the finisher for the T20 World Cup 2026, may be doubtful to play in the tournament to be held in February.
Paarl Royals lost to Joburg Super Kings by 45 runs in the final league game at Boland Park, Paarl on Monday, 19 January. Royals failed to chase the target of 167 runs in this clash. JSK finished fourth and qualified for the playoffs. It is noteworthy that both the teams will now clash again in the eliminator.
David Miller groin injury raises concerns for Paarl Royals and South Africa
David Miller suffered a groin injury while slipping to stop a ball during the Joburg Super Kings innings. He did not come out to bat, which immediately raised concerns in the Paarl Royals camp.
Miller could be ruled out of the SA20 playoffs due to injury. His absence will be a big blow considering his role as captain and finisher for the team.
The setback has also put South Africa on alert ahead of the T20 World Cup starting three weeks later in Ahmedabad. The national team is likely to already be without Donovan Ferreira, who is recovering from a shoulder fracture.
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David Miller did not bat as Paarl Royals lost against Joburg Super Kings
Joburg Super Kings decided to bat on a slow pitch and scored 166 runs for 5 wickets. They continued to struggle until Lewis du Plooy finished the innings with an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes. 34 runs were scored in the last two overs and the momentum was firmly in their favour.
After James Vince was out for a duck, Neil Timmers and Michael Pepper took the innings forward. Timmers scored 39 and Pepper added 27, but the scoring rate dropped in the middle overs. In the 19th over, Du Plooy struck out Waqar Salamkhil, before Dianne Forrester ended the phase with another six.
Paarl Royals started the chase cautiously, but with David Miller ruled out due to injury, the pressure increased with the continuous fall of wickets. Prenelon Subrayan and Imran Tahir controlled the middle overs and together took five wickets for just 31 runs.
Luan-Dre Pretorius top-scored with 32, while Dan Lawrence tried to keep the target alive with 45 off 29 balls. However, Tahir struck at crucial moments and Subrayan held tight as the Royals lost seven wickets for 41 runs and were bowled out for 122.
I don’t know – David Miller on injury
David Miller said he was still unsure about the severity of his injury and would only know more after it was assessed the next day. He acknowledged that the situation was not ideal for him or the team.
“(How is his injury?) I don’t know. We’ll see tomorrow when I pick up, but yes, obviously it’s not ideal.” miller said.
“(Could the score have been chased at half-time?) Sure. You know, it always gets better on the night, but I think, you know, looking at the position we were in, I thought they probably conceded 25 runs too many. But that’s the way it goes and I still thought it was definitely achievable. Like I said, it gets better on the night, but lost a few wickets at the wrong time and obviously we cost us that. “Lay.”
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