Rovman Powell reflects on successful T20I captaincy, eyes future challenges
What's the story
Star all-rounder batter Rovman Powell is elated to have led the West Indies in T20I cricket. He recently described his stint as a "pretty successful" and "very good" period in his career. According to ESPNcricinfo, Powell took the Windies from ninth to third position (ICC T20I Rankings) during his T20I captaincy stint. Notably, Powell captained West Indies in 37 T20Is between March 2023 and December 2024.
Career milestones
Journey from ambition to achievement
In a recent media interaction organized by Dubai Capitals during the ongoing ILT20, Powell reflected on his cricketing journey. "A lot of the stuff in your career you didn't set out to achieve," he told ESPNcricinfo. The middle-order batsman revealed that his initial ambition was just to play for West Indies. Now, having played over 100 T20Is (107), he is grateful for his accomplishments and the global opportunities cricket has provided.
Leadership legacy
Captaincy and its impact on West Indies cricket
Powell took over the T20I captaincy from Nicholas Pooran. In 37 T20Is as captain, he won 19 and lost 17. Powell, who also led in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, was replaced by Shai Hope this year. Despite a packed schedule, Powell manages his time by picking competitions that don't clash with international matches. "After you play international cricket, you pick a few competitions that don't have any international clashes," he said about his strategy.
Batting insights
Powell's batting preference and strategy
As a middle-order batsman, Powell prefers batting at No. 5 in T20s. He has played the most innings (105) at this position, scoring 2,069 runs with a strike rate of 146.11. "I like batting at No. 5 most," he said, explaining that it allows him to build an innings without being rushed into hitting boundaries right away.
Appearance
Powell currently featuring in ILT20
Powell emphasized that his approach to constructing an innings depends on the game's situation. He said, "One thing never changes: you take the first few balls to get yourself in, to read the conditions." The 32-year-old is currently featuring in the ongoing ILT20. 39, 0, 96*, and 38*. After being retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL, he will shift his attention toward the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7.