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.
In the video message posted from his farmhouse in Sahaspur Alinagar village in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha district, Shami reflected on his time in the longest format, saying it had been marked by hard work and several ups and downs. vShami made his Test debut against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens on November 6, 2013. He finished with 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls.
His ability to generate seam and swing with both the new and old ball made him a key component of India's pace attack across conditions. He claimed 131 wickets in 35 Tests in South Africa, the West Indies and India, averaging under 25.
Some of his most memorable performances came in South Africa. He returned figures of 5/28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test during India's 2018 tour to help the visitors secure a consolation victory.
Shami's last Test appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at the Lord's. Injuries subsequently disrupted his career, but he remained an important part of India's white-ball setup.Shami also played three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal in the on-going season, claiming 14 wickets.