Arguably, West Indies are the most successful as well as the most devastating team when it comes to playing the shortest format of the game. The West Indies team have gone on to win the T20I World Cup on two occasions. The team went on to win the ICC championships in the year 2012 and 2016. The two-time World Champions have certainly declined after these championship wins and it was in the year 2022 that the team even failed to qualify for the tournament. In fact, apart from their star-studded batting, their bowling department also played a huge part in them performing the way they did.
Let us now look at the top 3 bowling performances by West Indies players on T20I debut;
3. 4/17 – Devendra Bishoo vs Pakistan at Gros Islet in 2011
Devendra Bishoo was certainly an unlikely breed of cricketer from the West Indies. A team that was majorly known for their lethal fast bowling, Bishoo was arguably one of the best leg spinners that the West Indies team ever produced. The 37-year-old bagged his chance on the national side on the back of some brilliant bowling in the domestic circuit and was vastly talked about his leg spinner as well as deceiving line and length.
And in his debut match against Pakistan, Bishoo registered a match-winning spell of 4/17 at Gros Islet in 2011.
2. 3/9 – Garey Mathurin vs England at The Oval in 2011
Garey Mathurin is a talented lower-order batsman as well as a left-arm spinner. He has a history of taking consistent wickets and had a great outing in the first-class season in the year 2011, including figures of 7 for 72 against the England Lions as well as 5 for 86 against the Leeward Islands in the two matches. He was a member of the West Indies Twenty20 team during the trip to England in the month of September in the same year.
In his debut match against England, Mathurin registered a bowling figure of 3/9 for which he was even awarded the Player of the Match award.
1. 2/9 – Dwayne Smith vs New Zealand in Auckland in 2006
One of the best all-rounders who was deadly with the bat in hand as well as was equally lethal in a condition that had something for the bowler. His ability to swing the ball in both directions made him a handy bowler. Smith did not have the typical West Indian pace but was known for his pinpoint accuracy.
It was in his debut match against the New Zealand team where Smith registered a figure of 2/9 at Auckland.