Mohammed Shami Calls Time On Test Career
Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his 13-year career in the longest format. The 36-year-old confirmed that he will continue playing white-ball cricket, including domestic competitions and the Indian Premier League.
Shami made the announcement through an Instagram post on Friday, November 6. He finishes with 229 wickets from 64 Tests at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls.
Shami Reflects On 13-Year Test Journey
Shami said the decision came with a heavy heart, describing Test cricket as a special part of his life.
“I am leaving the white jersey, but never the memories connected to it. When I first wore India’s Test jersey, I had only a dream — to do something for my country. After that every wicket, every struggle, every injury and every comeback taught me something,” he wrote.
In a video message recorded at his farmhouse in Sahaspur Alinagar village in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district, Shami looked back on his journey from his early days to representing India.
“It’s been a long journey of 13 years. Starting out from this village, I have worked very hard, seen many ups and downs, and finally, on this day, November 6, I received my Test cap and the red ball,” he said.
Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens on November 6, 2013. He was India’s 279th Test player and went on to become one of the country’s most successful fast bowlers.
A Key Figure In India’s Pace Attack
Shami ranks sixth among India’s leading Test wicket-taking fast bowlers, behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (311 each), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234).
His ability to generate seam movement and swing with both the new and old ball made him an important part of India’s pace attack across conditions.
He claimed 131 wickets in 35 Tests played in South Africa, the West Indies and India, maintaining an average of under 25.
Some of his finest performances came in South Africa. During India’s 2018 tour, Shami returned figures of 5/28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test to help the visitors secure a consolation victory. On the next tour, he took eight wickets in the opening Test at Centurion.
His final Test appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s.
White-Ball Cricket Remains The Priority
Shami has been out of the Indian team since the 2025 Champions Trophy, with injuries affecting his career in recent seasons. However, he has made it clear that his retirement from Tests does not mean the end of his playing career.
“I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether in domestic competitions or the IPL. If I am fit, I will continue playing four-day cricket, but this is the end of my international Test career. My journey in this format ends here,” he said.
Shami has been named in Bengal’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 14. He also featured in three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal this season, taking 14 wickets.
He thanked his coaches, trainers, fans, the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal, expressing hope that more young cricketers would emerge from across the country.
