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West Indian power-hitter Rovman Powell has batted up and down the order for Delhi Capitals (DC) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 so far. However, he was back to his preferred slot for their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and the Jamaican opened up about his promotion, revealing that he had convinced his skipper Rishabh Pant to 'trust me at No. 5'.
"I just told him (Pant) to trust me at No. 5, give me a chance to start, to bat the first 15-20 balls, that's how I want to bat, and then (after) 20 balls I'll try to maximise," Powell told host broadcaster Star Sports.
Powell hit a stupendous 67 not out off 35 balls in DC's 21-run win at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. He also spoke about his chat with teammate David Warner, who was close to his century, in the innings' 20th over. Warner hit an unbeaten 92 off 58 balls as DC posted a competitive score of 208.
“I wanted him (Warner) to get to a hundred, but he asked me to hit as hard as I could, and wasn't bothered about his own hundred. Sometimes you plan for a particular ball, be it the slower or the yorker, but the pitch is so good and the ball was coming on nicely,” said Powell.
"I came to the IPL knowing that I'm in good form, knowing that I've done a lot of work," he said later at the post-match press conference.
The 28-year-old Powell had started this season at No. 6, then batted at No. 5 twice, was pushed down to No. 6 again, and was then sent to bat at as low as No.8, leaving him disappointed. "At the start of the IPL, it was a little bit tough for me. I just keep believing in myself. I had a conversation with Rishabh, explaining to him that I was a little bit disappointed to bat at No. 8 in that game.
"But it is the nature of the game, whatever the situation you have been placed in, you have to do your best. Rishabh and the coach (Ricky Ponting), came up with a conclusion and plan and let me bat a little bit earlier now," he added.
Against SRH, Powell walked out after the Capitals lost their third wicket for just 85 runs in the ninth over. After a slow start, he took off and went on to smash six sixes and three fours in his innings, notching a strike rate of 191.42.
