‘We can play good cricket against Bumrah, Arshdeep’:Rovman Powell confident West Indies ‘can replicate World Cup win in India’

With less than two months until the T20 World Cup 2026, the international squads of different teams are wrapping up the preparations for the ICC tournament. The West Indies batter Rovman Powell has shed light on how the Caribbean side is gearing up for the tournament. In an exclusive interview with Bhaskar English, the West Indies power hitter reflected on facing Indian pacers like Arshdeep and Bumrah in the T20 World Cup and whether his team can claim the ICC title once again at home. Last time, when the shortest format World Cup was played in India, the West Indies clinched the T20 WC trophy from England in 2016. ‘Can play good cricket against them’ – Rovman Powell on facing Arshdeep, Bumrah in T20I WC 2026 When asked about how Powell and the West Indian squad plan to tackle the pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah on Indian soil, Powell responded, “I’ve haven’t even started wrapping my mind around tackling Indian pieces. We’re not even in the same group as India. So our focus is on the teams that are in our group.” Although he further added: See, your best (Arshdeep and Bumrah), we can play good cricket against them. In 2025, the Windies side has won only 4 T20 games out of 25 played. However, as a power hitter, Powell has maintained his consistency, increasing his strike rate to 154.32 in the 16 games that he has played. He is also part of the West Indies’ World Cup squad for 2026. Rovman Powell thinks West Indies can replicate World Cup win in India In 2016 finals, when West Indies needed 19 runs in the final over, and Ben Stokes was bowling the last over at Eden Gardens, it seemed that the T20 World Cup trophy would belong to England. The Caribbean team was 137/6, but Carlos Brathwaite turned the tables for his team. He slammed four sixes in a row and scripted history as West Indies became the first team to have two World Cup titles to their name. Since the 2016 T20 World Cup was held in India, when current finisher Rovman Powell was asked about the possibilities of havingthe same success, he said: Yeah, we haven’t played as good as we wanted during the last twelve months or so, but I think but I still think we have enough quality players to replicate a World Cup win in India. Currently, Powell is playing in the International League T20 for Dubai Capitals. When he was asked about the parallels between the Dubai-based league and the Indian Premier League, he rated IPL better than the ILT20. ‘IPL is the best league in the world’: Rovman Powell While speaking about ILT20 and IPL, Rovman Powell said, “IPL is obviously the best league in the world. But, you know, the ILT twenty is making a name for itself. You know, it’s attracting proper quality players just as any other league. So, it’s the same franchise in capitals.” As per the West Indies batter, these leagues provide the chance for players to let them take care of their families, although he admitted that sport has now become a business.