Chennai, India – When Devendra Bishoo stepped onto the field for Thursday’s match against England it was the realisation of a dream for the young leg-spinner. It was Bishoo’s first international match in West Indies colours and he also fulfilled the dream of his father. Bishoo’s father Mohanlal, died 17 years ago and his one dying wish was that his son would one day represent the West Indies.
Devendra Bishoo.
“I got the news on Wednesday night that I would be playing in the match against England and I immediately thought about my father and what he wanted for me. I always wanted to represent the West Indies and I achieved my goal. But it was more than that. It was what my father wished for,” Bishoo said.
“After he died it was just myself and my mother and she also encouraged me to achieve my goals. I know she is very happy and if my father was here I know he would be very happy too. I remembered the times when I used to get home from school and I would spend a lot of time bowling at my father. He realised that I could be a good bowler and he would give me the chance to bowl and learn as much as I could. He was a great help to me and I am happy I have made him proud, even though he is not here to see me.”
Bishoo, who was a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo, had an excellent match with the ball and troubled the England batsman on a slow pitch at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.
He bowled with great control and got the ball to spin a long way. He ended with three wickets for 34 from his 10 overs. His first wicket was Jonathan Trott, caught at midwicket by Chris Gayle. He also sent back Eion Morgan, caught behind; and Luke Wright, caught at deep midwicket.
“When the captain [Darren Sammy] handed me the ball I felt I was ready to perform. I was feeling really good from the night before and I really wanted to get into the game,” Bishoo explained.
“When I started to bowl I knew I had to find my range and take it from there. I varied my pace and I got the results. I noticed from early the pitch was spinning and I made the adjustment. Everyone was encouraging me out there in the middle. Sammy came over to me a lot and helped me to relax, Gayle was giving me a lot of advice and Sarwan kept telling me to believe in myself,” Bishoo revealed.
Bishoo is a small man but he has a big heart. He stands just five-feet-seven-inches and weighs a little over 150 pounds. He is a confident cricketer and is focussed on what he wants to achieve. He hails from a small village in Albion, Berbice, an area which has produced several other Guyana players including Sew Shivnarine, Sudesh Dhaniram, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Veerasammy Permaul.
“The match against England was just the start. It was a good start for me. I bowled well and I enjoyed being out there, but the down side was that we lost the match. I know I have a lot of things to work on and I know I have a lot to learn playing at this level. I feel really comfortable in the team and everyone is giving me good support. I’m looking forward to the chances ahead.”
The West Indies are in fourth in Group B on six points from five matches. They face India on Sunday in Chepauk and a win would see them qualify for the quarter-finals.