West Indies all-rounder Jamaican, Rovman Powell spoke to Cricket.com about leading Dubai Capitals in ILT20, West Indies exit from T20 World Cup and more.
Growing up in the Bannister district of Old Port, Jamaica, Powell was supported by his sister and mother with what little they had. All three lived in a dilapidated house with an iron roof, which often had to be repaired when it rained.
Also in a CPL documentary, he revealed how he would stay up all night when it rained to ensure that neither his mother nor his sister got water.
Fast forward to the present day, Powell is one of the most sought-after cricketers in the world, with his ability to obliterate any bowling attack, bowl tight overs and pluck catches out of thin air.
He is the front-runner to captain the West Indies white-ball team following the sudden resignation of white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran.
Jamaican said in the discussion that it was not a childhood dream to lead the West Indies team, but he was proud to lead.
“Leading West Indies is not a boyhood dream, but something that passes through your mind now and then. When you think about leading the West Indies you think you are leading a proud nation of people. If that does happen, I would be very proud, very excited for the journey. You also have to be mindful of the job. I know it is not an easy one.’
Speaking about the UAE-based tournament, Powell said,
“It’s a pretty good experience. The guys here have rallied around me as captain and that’s very, very important especially in a franchise when it’s a new one. Also the coaching staff…a lot of friendships have been built and hopefully those friendships last a lifetime.”
Powell also plays for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and after regular captain Rishabh Pant’s horrific accident, he said he texted Pant to check on him and the two remain in touch.
“In the initial stage of his accident I left things as it is because his phone will be buzzing and all kind of stuff. I gave it some amount of time and then I sent him a message and he sent back a heartfelt message. We have been in contact whenever we can.”
Coming back to the ILT20, the Dubai Capitals are currently bottom of the six-team event, but Powell believes his side have played some good cricket.
“We’ve played some very good cricket during the duration of the competition. It’s just that we’ve not played good cricket for a longer period, played good cricket in patches. That is the most disappointing part.”
“When you look at the quality of the team, quality of the guys and the quality of the coaching staff, it’s a bit disappointing because I think we have what it takes to be at the front of the table.”
Two-time T20 World Cup champions West Indies have not gone according to plan in the last two editions. They failed to make an impact in the 2021 edition, and were eliminated in the first round in 2022.
A stunning piece of fielding to cut short a potential 6 at the boundary.
Don't miss this amazing save by the captain @Ravipowell26 🫡
Watch all the DP World ILT20 action LIVE on Zee Cinema, Zee Thirai, Zee Bangla Cinema, and Zee5.@ilt20onzee#DPWorldILT20 #ADKRvDC pic.twitter.com/IR7G0S3Rml
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) January 30, 2023
Powell, who was part of the latest edition, says his team’s exit was the saddest day of his international career.
“When we exited the competition, it was one of the saddest days of my international career. It was disappointing, it was frustrating, it left us with a bitter taste in our mouth to be honest.”
“We not just embarrassed the region but also embarrassed ourselves, because we as cricketers we have personal pride. Hopefully, for the next World Cup, the preparation and those things can be a little bit better. Rest and recover…we just came out of a CPL. All those little things have to be factored in next time.”
Another World Cup is scheduled to be held later this year and automatic qualification will be a difficult task for the regional team. However, Powell, who has fond memories of the 2018 tournament where he scored his first international century, sees this as an opportunity to show the team’s fight.
“It is frustrating. Nobody wants to go through a qualifier. In the qualifiers you see guys playing their hearts out against you just to make it to the World Cup. Some unfortunate things do happen at the qualifiers.”
“It’s frustrating but it also gives us an opportunity to play cricket, to see the fight within the guys and to see the guys going down to Zimbabwe to fight for the West Indies, fight for the people of the West Indies. It’s an opportunity for us. It’s an unfortunate situation. But out of an unfortunate situation, heroes can rise.”