Mohammad Shami, a 36-year-old Indian cricketer, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after 13 years of international service. His decision was made public on social media, marking the end of a significant chapter in Indian cricket. Shami, a key fast bowler for India, announced that his focus will shift to white-ball cricket and the Indian Premier League. His retirement comes on the 13th anniversary of his Test debut, adding a poignant touch to the announcement.
Shami's Test career spanned 13 years, concluding with an impressive record. During his career, he played in various conditions, including a performance where he scored 28 runs in the second innings of a Johannesburg Test. Over his career, Shami took 229 wickets in Test cricket, with 131 of those wickets taken across 35 Tests in South Africa, England, and the West Indies. His performances in these challenging conditions established him as a premier fast bowler for India.
Mohammed Shami announces retirement from Test Cricket. https://t.co/N88ScXqp70
Shami's Test career saw him take 229 wickets overall. His highlights include taking 131 wickets in 35 matches played across South Africa, England, and the West Indies. His ability to consistently provide breakthroughs for India made him a valuable asset in the red-ball format. Shami's retirement from Test cricket marks the conclusion of an era, while opening a path for his remaining career in limited-overs formats.
In a statement on social media, Shami expressed his gratitude to his coaches and fans.
In a statement on social media, Shami expressed his gratitude to his coaches and fans. He stated, 'I am bidding farewell to Test cricket, but I have no regrets about my journey.' His words, translated to Hindi, read, 'मैं सफेद जर्सी से विदा रहा हूं, लेकिन इससे जुड़ी यादों से कभी नहीं.' He confirmed his decision to conclude his Test career while shifting his full attention to white-ball formats.
'Sad day to see him go': India bowling coach Morkel pays heartfelt tribute to Mohammed Shami after Test retirement https://t.co/V36WIQ8LVg
While Shami's Test career is drawing to a close, his journey in white-ball cricket continues. He will remain active in limited-overs formats, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic competitions. Shami emphasized that his focus will be on short-format cricket moving forward, ensuring he remains a presence on the pitch in white-ball matches.
As Mohammad Shami prepares to step away from Test cricket, his legacy as one of India's top fast bowlers remains intact. His 13-year Test career, marked by 229 wickets, has left a lasting mark on Indian cricket. Shami's retirement is a bittersweet moment, celebrating the end of his Test career while opening the door to continued success in limited-overs cricket.
STORY | Shami retires from Test cricket, to continue playing white-ball formats India pacer Mohammed Shami on Friday announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing curtains down on a 13-year career but he will continue to play white ball formats. Shami ended his international red ball journey with 229 wickets from 64 matches, making him the sixth most successful pacer in Tests for the country behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma (both 311), Javagal Srinath (236), Jasprit Bumrah (234). The 36-year-old, who has been out of the Indian team since the 2025 Champions Trophy, announced his decision through an Instagram post. "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," Shami said in his social media account. READ: https://t.co/ITXcJhRgyD