IPL 2022: Was told I’ll play all the games - DC's Rovman Powell

Delhi Capitals’ Rovman Powell in full flow v KKR on Thursday. Pic/PTI

Rovman Powell was the designated finisher for Delhi Capitals. But just 31 runs from his first five innings put a question mark over his place in the team.
However, things finally fell in place for the big-hitting West Indian on Thursday when he smashed an unbeaten 33 off 16 balls to bail out DC from a wobble in their chase of 147.

DC registered their fourth victory, a crucial one as far as making the cut for the playoffs is concerned, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets at the Wankhede Stadium with an over to spare.

"Yeah, it was a tough start, but I was in form. In the early part of the season, I was going out [to bat] for like one ball, two balls and those kind of stuff. When you get those innings, they don't state whether you're a good player or a bad player.

"The team, the captain, coach rallied around me and told me that I'll play all the games so just relax, just play cricket and enjoy it. My start in the competition wasn't the best, but I trusted all the work I had done before the IPL," Powell told reporters at the post-match press conference.

At 84-5 in 11.1 overs, DC looked in real trouble, but Powell took a calculated risk to take the team through. "It was a simple situation that requires you to play singles early. Once you get the singles early, the boundary balls will always come. It was not that difficult a situation. I played it well," said Powell, who would have pulled off a sensational chase against Rajasthan Royals in DC's previous game when he hit three consecutive sixes in the final over needing 36 to win.

Powell played anchor during his 29-run stand with Axar Patel (24). Powell dealt in singles and twos initially, but opened up when KKR's best bowlers were done with their quota of overs. In his last eight balls, he smashed three sixes and a boundary. "They bowled their best bowlers early, trying to get us out. Once we didn't get out, you know that in the back end some makeshift bowlers will come and bowl," said Powell.