Mohammed Shami RetiresVeteran Indian cricket team fast bowler Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement. Shami has bid farewell to the longest format of the game Test cricket.
Late on the night of Friday, November 6, Shami posted a video on his social media accounts to inform his fans of this decision. His announcement has left millions of Indian fans who had been eagerly awaiting his return for the past several months disappointed.
In the caption accompanying his video post, Shami included a message for his fans—one that began with an announcement sure to break their hearts. Shami wrote, "I am bidding farewell to the white jersey, but never to the memories associated with it." He further shared that, for him, Test cricket was not merely a format but an integral part of his life; ever since he first donned this jersey, he had dreamt of achieving something meaningful for his country.
Test cricket is a special part of life
36-year-old Shami wrote in his retirement post, When I first wore the Indian Test jersey, I had only one dream: to make a difference for my country. After that, every wicket, every struggle, every injury, and every comeback taught me something new.
Test cricket is not just a format for me, it has been a very special part of my life. Today, with a heavy heart and countless beautiful memories, I am deciding to retire from Test cricket.
Shami expressed his gratitude to Team India, the fans, the BCCI, and the Bengal cricket fraternity for his remarkable Test career. He wrote, “A heartfelt thank you to every teammate, coach, and family member who supported me on this journey, and to the millions of Indians who kept their faith in me through both good times and difficult ones.
My sincere thanks also go to the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for believing in my talent, providing me with opportunities to grow, and playing a pivotal role in my cricketing journey. Your support and trust will always remain special to me.
Wreaking Havoc on Debut: Crafting a Formidable Pace Attack
Hailing from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, Shami first showcased his brilliance while playing for the Bengal cricket team, eventually making his Test debut for India in 2013. It was a delightful coincidence that his debut took place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata his home ground.
That same match against the West Indies also marked the debut of Rohit Sharma, who scored a magnificent century and was named Player of the Match. However, Shami played a pivotal role in India’s victory secured by an innings margin by claiming 4 wickets in the first innings and 5 in the second.
Since then, Shami has gifted Team India and its fans numerous memorable moments in the white jersey. Alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav, Shami helped transform the Indian Test bowling unit into one of the most lethal attacks in the world over the last decade. This contributed significantly to India’s historic Test series win in Australia, as well as several Test victories in England and South Africa.
A Look Back at Shami’s Memorable Career
The 2023 World Test Championship final proved to be Shami’s last appearance for India. Over the course of his 64-Test career, he claimed 229 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls.
He finished with a bowling average of 27.71 and a strike rate of 50. His best performance came against Australia in the 2018 Perth Test, where he took 6 wickets for 56 runs in the second innings. Notably, Shami recorded two five-wicket hauls each in Australia, South Africa, and India.
Hopes Remain for an ODI Comeback
Although this announcement marks a shift, it is clear that Shami intends to continue playing ODI and T20 cricket. In other words, he still holds out hope for a return to Team India for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is set to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
That is why, for now, Shami has retired only from the Test format. His last appearance for India in ODIs was during the 2025 Champions Trophy, and he has been sidelined ever since.
