David Miller ‘Medically Cleared’ for 2026 T20 World Cup

South Africa batter David Miller has been medically cleared to take part in the 2026 T20 World Cup after recovering from a groin injury sustained during the SA20 earlier this year.

Miller missed Paarl Royals’ final two matches of the SA20, both of which were playoffs, and was subsequently rested for South Africa’s ongoing T20I series against West Indies as a precaution. However, Cricket South Africa has confirmed that the 36-year-old has now been cleared to travel with the squad to India, where he will feature in his sixth T20 World Cup.

The left-hander remains South Africa’s most experienced player and a central figure in the batting line-up. Miller is expected to bat at No. 5, following Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis, and will once again take on the role of designated finisher. Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs are the other specialist batters in the squad.

While Miller has not publicly addressed his long-term future, this tournament could represent his final T20 World Cup. He currently holds a white-ball-only contract with Cricket South Africa and may be targeting the 2027 ODI World Cup on home soil as his international farewell. Miller has been instrumental in South Africa’s recent ICC campaigns, scoring a memorable semi-final century against Australia at the 2023 ODI World Cup in Kolkata and playing a key role in South Africa’s run to the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

In that final, South Africa came agonisingly close to a maiden T20 title before losing to India by seven runs, with Miller caught on the boundary in the final over while chasing 16. He has since made no secret of his desire to go one step further on the world stage.

South Africa’s preparations have already been disrupted by injuries, with two forced changes made to the squad announced earlier this month. Donovan Ferreira was ruled out after suffering a broken shoulder in the SA20, while Tony de Zorzi failed to recover from a hamstring tear. They were replaced by Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton respectively. Had Miller also been ruled out, Rubin Hermann — added as cover for the West Indies T20I series — was the likely replacement.

The South African squad will depart Johannesburg for Mumbai on Sunday and will play a warm-up match against India on Wednesday. They begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Canada on February 9, before facing Afghanistan on February 11 in Ahmedabad, New Zealand on February 14 in Ahmedabad, and the UAE on February 18 in Delhi.