India’s pace spearhead announces retirement from the longest format, bringing an end to a remarkable career of 229 wickets in 64 Tests
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a memorable 13-year journey in the longest format of the game.
The 36-year-old made the announcement on Friday, November 6, through an emotional social media post, exactly 13 years after making his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2013.
Shami bows out of Test cricket with an impressive record of 229 wickets from 64 matches at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls.
“I’m taking my leave from the white jersey, but never from the memories attached to it,” Shami wrote in his farewell message.
Reflecting on his journey, the veteran pacer said every wicket, struggle, injury and comeback had taught him valuable lessons. He also described Test cricket as a deeply special part of his life.
Shami thanked his teammates, coaches, family, millions of Indian supporters, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for their support throughout his career.
His final Test appearance came in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Injuries subsequently disrupted his international career, preventing him from making a return to the Test side.
Known for his ability to generate pace, seam movement and reverse swing, Shami played a significant role in India’s fast-bowling attack across conditions.
One of his most memorable performances came during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just seven matches.
However, his retirement from Test cricket does not signal the end of his international ambitions. Shami has indicated that he will continue playing white-ball cricket, including domestic competitions and the Indian Premier League.
He also remains open to playing four-day domestic cricket whenever his fitness permits.
While the white jersey will no longer feature Shami, his contribution to Indian Test cricket will remain an important part of the country’s fast-bowling history.
A 13-year Test journey, 64 matches and 229 wickets — Shami signs off from the longest format with a legacy built on pace, perseverance and unforgettable comebacks.
