Mohammed Shami has retired from Test cricket, but his decision has raised questions about why he did not get another opportunity to play for India in the format.
The fast bowler had been out of the Test team for more than three years, even though he continued to play domestic cricket and take wickets for Bengal.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is disappointed with the way Shami’s Test career ended, as he believes the pacer could have added another 30-40 wickets to his tally.
Mohammed Shami announced his retirement on November 6, exactly 13 years after making his Test debut.
He finished with 229 wickets in 64 matches, including six five wicket hauls.
His last appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Speaking ahead of India’s second ODI against New Zealand, Shastri said Shami should have played for India during the last 12 months and deserved another chance in the Test side.
Shami’s absence from the team was largely due to fitness concerns following multiple injuries. He underwent ankle surgery in February 2024 and later faced knee problems, which also kept him out of the five Test series against Australia.
Although he returned to international cricket in January 2025, he was not selected for the England Test tour.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said that Shami’s workload was not sufficient for a demanding five match series. Shastri questioned this assessment, pointing out that a fast bowler’s fitness should also be judged by his ability to bowl long spells during matches.
Shami’s domestic performances have also become part of the discussion. He took seven wickets in three matches for East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy before picking up 14 wickets in his first three matches of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season at an average of 14.00.
He also claimed a match haul of 5/59 against Delhi and took four wickets for 37 runs against Maharashtra. Shastri referred to these performances while questioning why Shami was not given another opportunity in Test cricket.
Although Shami has retired from Tests, he remains available for India’s white ball teams and could still feature in the plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
His last international appearance came in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, where he finished with nine wickets in five matches.
Shastri believes the pacer should remain ready, as India could need his experience if another senior fast bowler gets injured.
Shami’s Test career is over, but his performances in domestic cricket and the Champions Trophy show why his future in white ball cricket remains worth watching.
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
— (@MdShami11) November 6, 2026
