Mohammed Shami Announces Retirement From Test Cricket

In November 2013, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Mohammed Shami took 9 for 118 on his Test debut against the West Indies, generating reverse swing that ripped through the visitors’ batting order. On Thursday, exactly 13 years to the day, the 36-year-old fast bowler announced he was ending his Test career, Cricinfo reported.

Shami confirmed the retirement in a video posted on social media, saying the date marked both the start and end of his journey in the format. He finishes with 229 wickets in 64 Tests for India, placing him just outside the top five in the country’s fast-bowling wicket list.

Nine wickets on debut set the standard in Kolkata

Shami’s first Test match brought immediate impact. His 9 for 118 against West Indies remains his best match figures and showcased the upright seam and wicket-to-wicket approach that defined his career. “In this 13-year journey, this cap, this ball, made me Mohammed Shami,” he said in his retirement video. “All the ups and downs, I did fall, I did get hurt, I did get injured. But I stood up again for this badge.”

229 wickets at an average of 27.71

Across 64 Tests, Shami claimed 229 wickets at an average of 27.71 and a strike rate of 50.2, becoming the fifth Indian pacer to surpass 200 Test wickets. India won 31 of the matches he played and drew 13; he never lost a series at home. At home, his average dropped to 22.1 with a strike rate of 42.6, and only three Indian bowlers have bettered that home strike rate.

He took six five-wicket hauls during his career, with his best innings figures of 6 for 56 coming against Australia in Perth in 2018.

Stumps, seam and a second-innings edge

Nearly 45% of Shami’s dismissals were bowled or lbw, the result of his tactic of targeting the stumps. He broke Alastair Cook’s stumps in half during India’s 4-0 Test series win over England in 2016. He also proved more dangerous in the second innings than the first, and produced crucial lower-order runs, including an unbeaten 56 against England at Lord’s in 2021 that helped set up India’s victory.

A year out of international cricket before the exit

Shami’s last red-ball match for India came in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. He has not played any international cricket since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. Despite taking 14 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal this season and seven in three Duleep Trophy games for East Zone, selectors had moved beyond him. He had a public disagreement with former chief selector Ajit Agarkar after being left out of the West Indies tour, with Agarkar questioning his fitness; Shami responded that he would not have been playing domestic cricket if he was unfit, Hindustan Times reported.

White-ball cricket continues with Lucknow Super Giants

Shami said he will continue playing white-ball cricket, including the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants and domestic tournaments. “I am leaving this, but I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether it is IPL or domestic,” he said. IPL franchises have until November 17 to decide which players to retain ahead of the 2027 auction.

Shami’s Test retirement: the key facts

Mohammed Shami made his Test debut in November 2013. He made his debut on November 6, 2013, against West Indies at Eden Gardens, taking 9 for 118.

What was his final Test match?
The World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023.

Who did he thank in his retirement statement?
He thanked the BCCI, the Cricket Association of Bengal, his coaches, trainers, physios, teammates, family and fans, according to Hindustan Times and NDTV.

Shami was born in Amroha in western Uttar Pradesh and moved to Bengal, where he made his Ranji Trophy debut in November 2010 and continues to play.