Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket

Mohammed Shami during the pre-match photoshoot of what would be his last Test for India in 2023. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, bringing an end to a 10-year career in the longest format during which he established himself as one of India’s most effective fast bowlers.

The 36-year-old made the announcement in an emotional post on social media, reflecting on the memories, challenges, injuries and comebacks that defined his journey.

“ Safed jersey se vida le raha hoon, lekin usse judi yaadon se kabhi nahi…” Shami wrote. The post loosely translates as the pacer saying he was bidding farewell to the white jersey but would never part with the memories associated with it.

“Test cricket isn’t just another format for me; it is a very important part of my life. With a heavy heart and a lot of memories, I have decided to retire from Tests,” he added.

Shami thanked his teammates, coaches, family and Indian supporters for standing by him through good and difficult times. He also acknowledged the role played by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) in his development.

READ: Jemimah Rodrigues scores scintillating 100 in Senior Women’s T20 Trophy vs Pondicherry

Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 6, 2013. He went on to play 64 Tests for India, claiming 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, with six five-wicket hauls. His best innings figures were 6/56.

Safed jersey se vida le raha hoon, lekin usse judi yaadon se kabhi nahi… 🇮🇳❤️ Jab pehli baar Bharat ki Test jersey pehni thi, tab sirf ek sapna tha — apne desh ke liye kuch kar dikhane ka.. Uske baad har wicket, har sangharsh, har chot aur har comeback ne mujhe kuch na kuch sikhaya. Test cricket mere liye sirf ek format nahi, meri zindagi ka ek behad khaas hissa raha hai. Aaj bhaari dil aur anginat khoobsurat yaadon ke saath main Test cricket se retirement lene ka faisla kar raha hoon. Is safar mein mera saath dene wale har teammate, coach, family aur un karodon Bharatiyon ka dil se shukriya, jinhone achhe aur mushkil dono waqt mein mujh par bharosa banaye rakha.. BCCI aur Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) ka bhi dil se shukriya, jinhone mere talent par bharosa kiya, mujhe aage badhne ke mauke diye aur mere cricket ke safar mein ek aham bhoomika nibhayi. Aapka saath aur vishwas mere liye hamesha khaas rahega. Maidan par meri aakhri Test ball bhale hi fenki ja chuki ho, lekin Bharat ke liye khelne ka garv hamesha mere dil mein zinda rahega. Shukriya, Test Cricket. ❤️ Aapka Shami 🇮🇳 #Mdshami11 #Mdshami #TestCricket #Retirement

— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) November 6, 2026

His ability to extract movement off the pitch, generate reverse swing and consistently challenge batters with his seam position made him a key component of India’s pace attack across conditions.

Shami was particularly effective in overseas conditions, where his ability to maintain pressure over long spells complemented India’s pace-bowling resources. He was also part of the Indian side that reached the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021.

His last Test appearance came in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 7, 2023. India lost the contest, and Shami did not feature in the national side’s subsequent Test assignments.

Injuries subsequently disrupted his international career, including a prolonged absence following the 2023 ODI World Cup, during which he had been one of India’s standout performers.