West Indies cricketer Rovman Powell has voiced a sobering assessment of the team’s current standing in Test cricket, describing the format as being in a battle for its very survival. Despite a dismal recent record, the Jamaican international insists a committed core of players remains dedicated to reversing the team’s fortunes.
The statement comes as the West Indies team concludes 2025 with a deeply disappointing performance sheet. The side is poised to finish the year with a losing record following a winless streak in their ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand. After a hard-fought draw in the first match of the ICC World Test Championship, the team suffered a crushing defeat in the second Test, losing by nine wickets within just three days.
This year’s statistics paint a stark picture: seven losses in nine Test matches, including series defeats to cricketing powerhouses Australia and India. The team’s solitary victory in 2025 dates back to January, achieved in the second Test during their tour of Pakistan.
In response to this prolonged period of underperformance, the regional governing body, Cricket West Indies, convened a series of high-level meetings. These included an extraordinary session that brought together legendary former players Sir Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara to help address the team’s persistent struggles.
Though Powell himself, 32, has never earned a Test cap despite 13 first-class appearances between 2015 and 2020, he boasts extensive experience as a white-ball specialist with over 150 combined ODI and T20 appearances for the West Indies. He maintains a firm belief in the potential of his red-ball counterparts to achieve greater competitiveness on the international stage.
Addressing media in India, Powell highlighted the financial realities complicating the situation. He acknowledged the significant monetary constraints within the Test cricket cycle but emphasized the determination of the players. ‘There are guys who are committed, there are guys who are trying their best,’ he stated. ‘As much as we have played bad in the past, when we get it right, it looks as beautiful as any other team.’
Powell, currently featuring for the Dubai Capitals in the UAE’s IL T20 league, also addressed long-standing criticism regarding player commitment. Critics have often questioned the dedication of West Indian cricketers due to their widespread participation in lucrative global T20 franchises.
He countered this perspective, arguing it overlooks the crucial financial considerations for athletes from the region. ‘There is love for the sport, but the sport is also now a business. You use it as a viable means to take care of your family,’ Powell explained. He pointed out that T20 leagues provide a critical opportunity for Caribbean players to lift their families out of poverty and secure a better quality of life—a financial incentive that the West Indies cricket board simply cannot match.
Despite the pull of franchise cricket, Powell sees value in the relationships built there. He noted that these experiences foster lifelong friendships and connections with players from diverse backgrounds, which last well beyond a playing career.
In a positive personal development, Powell has been retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) draft. He is slated to fill the vacancy left by fellow Jamaican Andre Russell, who has transitioned into a coaching role with the franchise as a power coach.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity, Powell remarked, ‘It’s very good for such a big franchise to put some faith in me. It’s something that I’ve always wanted.’ He anticipates a smooth integration into the squad, citing the strong West Indian presence there, including Sunil Narine, Russell, and Dwayne Bravo. ‘I should feel at home,’ he added, ‘and hopefully given the opportunity, I’ll do well.’
