Powell made an important partnership of 57 runs with Buttler in just 27 balls when Buttler was finding it difficult to hit the big shots. Powell said that he had told his partner not to worry because he would hit big shots and if Powell was out, Buttler could comfortably finish the match.
When 62 runs were needed from the last four overs, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer brought in Sunil Narine to bowl the last over of his spell. Before this over, he had given only 14 runs in the three overs bowled and had taken one wicket. Powell took command in place of Butler and hit a four and then two sky-high sixes. However, he dismissed Powell on his fifth ball but by then he had given the necessary momentum to Rajasthan’s innings.
Powell’s thinking on the plan to attack Sunil Narayan was that he wanted the rest of RR’s batsmen to get the morale that if he can hit the shot then anyone can do it. Powell said in the press conference after the match-
“In T20 cricket, not many people get credit for playing impressive innings. There is a lot of technology available that gives data about the innings played by people, but there is not a lot of data and technology available to understand that impact. I have tried this by attacking Sunil. I made my main bowler and people believe that if Sunil can score runs, anyone can score runs.”
“I was there with Jose and I told him, you get some rest. I will try to hit some sixes. Because he was trying to hit the ball but was not connecting with it. So, I tried to hit sixes and if I get out, you take the responsibility of trying to hit big sixes.”