Nothing captures the essence of David Miller more than the couple of catchphrases which he himself popularized after setting the IPL on fire in 2013: "If it's in the V, it's in the tree; if it's in the arc, it's out the park". He had been around for a while at this point, but this was the season which catapulted him into the next level. Miller is a left-handed batsman, who is renowned for his power-hitting. He made his debut for the Dolphins at the age of 17 in the 2007-08 season. He averaged only 12.33 in that season as the Dolphins finished fifth. He managed to turn it around in the 2009-10 season when runs flowed from his bat. Although the results did not exactly go in his team's favour, he finished with 374 runs. He was selected in the South Africa 'A' team for a limited overs series against Bangladesh 'A' and he carried on his good form by scoring 195 runs in five games at an average of 65. His consistent performances earned him a call to the South African national team for the tour of the West Indies in May-June 2010. It was a tough time for South Africa as they had failed to reach the semi-finals in the 2010 World T20. The selectors were on the lookout for fresh faces and Miller was among the players considered. He made his debut in the T20I at North Sound, Antigua. South Africa were reeling at 59/5 in the 13th over. Miller stepped in and he showed remarkable composure. He hit his third ball in international cricket for a six and as he smashed 33 off 26 balls. His 57-run stand with Johan Botha helped South Africa reach 120/7. It turned out to be a crucial contribution as South Africa went on to win the match by just one run. Miller then made his ODI debut against the West Indies and he chipped in with some useful contributions with the bat towards the end of the innings. His good form continued in both the T20Is and ODIs against Zimbabwe in October. During that ODI series, he notched up his first fifty off only 30 balls. He continued to showcase his talent for Durham in the English domestic circuit. He was a consistent performer with the bat, including a gritty 54 off just 41 balls in a losing cause against Yorkshire. Miller was signed up by Punjab for the 2011 IPL season for a price of $100,000 as a replacement for Dimitri Mascarenhas but did not play in a single game.