CHENNAI: It was more than a dream come true for young West Indian spinner, Devendra Bishoo, as the tweaker revealed that it was his father's dying wish to see him don the Caribbean colours.
"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," said Bishoo whose father, Mohanlal, died 17 years ago.
The 25-year-old Guyanese, who was drafted into the World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo, made an impressive beginning to his career when he dismissed Jonathan Trott, Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright to return with match figures of 3-34 against England on Thursday.
"When I got the news that I would be playing in the match against England, I immediately thought about my father and what he wanted for me," said Bishoo.
"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 been very happy too," the leg-spinner added.
"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," the bowler said.