Devendra Bishoo, a talented cricketer hailing from Berbice county in Guyana, is a legspinner known for his exceptional skills on the field. Born on November 6, 1985, Bishoo quickly rose through the ranks and made his first-class debut in 2008. In his first three seasons, he showcased his immense talent by taking 71 wickets, including four five-wicket hauls and a remarkable ten-for.
Bishoo’s outstanding performance in the 2010 Caribbean T20 tournament earned him the prestigious Player-of-the-Series award. Throughout the tournament, he displayed his bowling prowess and finished with an impressive tally of ten wickets in just four games, maintaining an astounding average of 8.20.
The talented legspinner had an unforgettable debut year in West Indies colors. He started off with a bang by representing his nation in the highly anticipated 2011 ODI World Cup. Just two months later, Bishoo made his Test debut, and his stellar performances didn’t go unnoticed. At the end of that eventful year, he was honored with the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award for his phenomenal achievement of taking 45 international wickets at an average of 26.71.
However, despite his remarkable start, Bishoo faced challenges due to the demanding workload he endured on spin-friendly pitches both at home and abroad. As a result, his body succumbed to the strain, and he took a hiatus from international cricket for three years, starting from April 2012. During this hiatus, Bishoo focused on regaining his strength and fitness while consistently performing well for the Guyana team.
In a delightful coincidence, on June 3, 2015, exactly 22 years after Shane Warne’s famous “ball of the century,” Bishoo crafted a masterpiece of his own. During a Test match in Dominica, he bowled a delivery that pitched outside leg stump, sharply turned across Brad Haddin’s outside edge, and dismantled the off stump—an extraordinary feat that showcased his exceptional skills.
A year later, Bishoo left an indelible mark during the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE. He displayed tremendous skill and determination by taking an impressive haul of 18 wickets in just three matches. In the second Test held in Dubai, he achieved a remarkable ten-wicket haul, followed by seven more wickets in a victorious match in Sharjah.
Despite these exceptional performances, Bishoo’s career experienced its fair share of ups and downs. He had a relatively quiet tour of England in 2017, and although he managed to take 13 wickets in two Tests against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, his appearances for the West Indies national team were sporadic thereafter.
Devendra Bishoo’s cricketing journey has been an eventful one, filled with exceptional performances and distinguished achievements. His ability to spin the ball, particularly on spin-friendly pitches, continues to make him a valuable asset for his team. As he continues to refine his skills and overcome any obstacles that may come his way, it is certain that Devendra Bishoo will leave a lasting legacy in the world of cricket.
