Mohammed Shami has retired from Test cricket. He announced the news on Friday. Shami is an India fast bowler. He said he is leaving the white jersey but not the memories that come with it. He thanked his teammates, coaches, family, the BCCI, the Cricket Association of Bengal and millions of Indian fans.
Shami said playing Test cricket for India was a special part of his life. Every wicket, every struggle, every injury and every comeback taught him something. He called Test cricket more than just a format. He said he is retiring with a heavy heart and many beautiful memories. He also thanked the BCCI and CAB for believing in him and giving him chances to grow. He said even though his last Test ball may have been bowled, the pride of playing for India will always stay in his heart.
His last Test was the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. His career was often interrupted by injuries. He got hurt during the 2023 ODI World Cup. His fitness was a big concern after that. He worked hard to come back but did not get another chance in the Test team. Here are the five moments that defined his red-ball career.
Top 5 Moments of Mohammed Shami in Test Cricket
1. Nine Wickets on Debut (Kolkata, November 2013)
Shami began his Test career at Eden Gardens on 6 November 2013 against the West Indies, and it was a dream start. He took 4 for 71 in the first innings and 5 for 47 in the second, a match haul of 9 for 118, and India won by an innings and 51 runs. The match came during Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series, which made the debut even more memorable. Shami bowled wicket to wicket and kept an upright seam. The 9 for 118 remains his best match figures in Tests.
2. 56 Not Out at Lord’s (London, August 2021)
This was Shami’s finest moment with the bat. India were in a difficult position on the final day, and he and Jasprit Bumrah put together an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Shami made 56 not out, his highest Test score, and Bumrah added 34. It allowed India to declare and set England a target of 272. With the pressure on, India’s bowlers dismissed England for 120 and won by 151 runs.
3. 6 for 56 in Perth (December 2018)
Shami’s best bowling figures in Tests came on a fast, bouncy pitch in Perth during the 2018-19 tour of Australia. He took 6 for 56 in the Australian first innings, which was the best of his career and the only six-wicket haul in his Test record. Perth was a venue where visiting teams often struggled, and Shami’s performance showed he could succeed in the most difficult overseas conditions.
4. The Centurion Spell (December 2021)
During the first Test of the 2021-22 series in South Africa, Shami took 5 for 44 in the first innings at Centurion. On that day, he also reached 200 Test wickets, joining a small group of Indian fast bowlers to reach the mark, alongside Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma. The performance helped India win the match by 113 runs, a result that made history for the team at a ground where they had never won before.
5. Playing Through Pain in Adelaide (December 2020)
Not every great moment is a wicket or a century. In the first Test of the 2020-21 series in Adelaide, India collapsed to 36 all out, the lowest score in their Test history. Shami was hit on the arm by a bouncer from Pat Cummins and retired hurt, with a fracture. He was ruled out of the rest of the tour. It was a painful moment for him but also an example of his toughness. That series ended with an historic Indian win in Australia.
FAQs
Q. Which Indian cricketer has retired from Test cricket?
A. India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has retired from Test cricket.
Q. What did Shami say about leaving Test cricket?
A. Shami said he was leaving the white jersey but not the memories.
Q. What did Shami thank in his retirement message?
A. Shami thanked his teammates, coaches, family, the BCCI, CAB and Indian fans.
Q. When did Shami play his last Test match?
A. His last Test was the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.
Q. Why did Shami struggle to return to the Test team?
A. His career was affected by injuries, including an injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
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