India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a 13-year career in the longest format that yielded 229 wickets in 64 matches. The 36-year-old confirmed the decision on Friday, November 6, in an emotional social media post — exactly 13 years to the day after he made his Test debut at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Shami stressed that he is not retiring from cricket altogether. He will continue to play white-ball cricket, including in the Indian Premier League and domestic competitions, and said he could still turn out in four-day domestic matches if he stays fit.
The announcement, on the anniversary of his debut
Shami announced his decision in a video message recorded at his farmhouse in Sahaspur Alinagar village in Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh, reflecting on a journey he said had been marked by hard work and several ups and downs. He held his Test cap — number 279 — and a red ball as he spoke.
"Today, with a heavy heart and countless beautiful memories, I am taking the decision to retire from Test cricket. I am bidding farewell to the white kit, but never to the memories associated with it."
"When I first wore India's Test jersey, I had only a dream — to do something for my country," Shami said, according to Rediff. "After that every wicket, every struggle, every injury and every comeback taught me something. Test cricket is not just a format for me, it is a very special part of my life."
He thanked his teammates, coaches, family, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the millions of fans who supported him, adding: "Even though I have bowled my last ball in Test cricket, I will always carry the pride of playing for India in my heart."
A debut to remember
Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens on November 6, 2013, and made an immediate impression, taking nine wickets for 118 runs in the match — a haul that remained the best of his Test career. India won the match by an innings and 51 runs.
He went on to become one of the finest fast bowlers India has produced, renowned above all for his ability to generate seam and swing with both the new ball and the old ball, and for his mastery of reverse swing in subcontinental conditions. Four of his six five-wicket hauls came in Australia and South Africa, and he became a vital part of India's pace attack in overseas conditions as well as at home.
| Career marker | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test debut | November 6, 2013, vs West Indies, Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Tests played | 64 |
| Wickets | 229 at an average of 27.71 |
| Five-wicket hauls | 6 (four in Australia and South Africa) |
| Best match figures | 9 for 118, on debut |
| Last Test | 2023 World Test Championship final vs Australia, The Oval |
| India ranking | 6th most successful Indian fast bowler in Tests; 12th highest wicket-taker overall |
Where he stands: Shami finishes as India's sixth most successful fast bowler in Tests, behind Kapil Dev (434 wickets), Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (311 each), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234). Among all Indian bowlers, he is the 12th highest wicket-taker in the format.
The overseas performances that defined him
Some of Shami's most memorable performances came in South Africa. On India's 2018 tour he returned figures of 5 for 28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test to help the visitors secure a consolation victory. On the next tour, he claimed eight wickets in the opening Test at Centurion.
His ability to move the old ball — reverse swing at pace, late and at the stumps — made him a constant threat in conditions where fast bowlers often toil. It was a skill that set him apart in an Indian attack that, during his career, became one of the most feared pace units in world cricket.
Injuries, comebacks, and a long goodbye
Shami's last Test appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Injuries then disrupted his career: after a memorable outing in the home ODI World Cup in 2023, he underwent ankle surgery and suffered knee-related problems that kept him out of the national side for a considerable period.
He staged a comeback in the T20 format in January 2025 and was picked in India's Champions Trophy squad that year. But he has not featured for India in any format since the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, and he was consistently overlooked for Test selection — including for the New Zealand series — as the selectors moved on to younger fast bowlers.
He kept playing domestic cricket for Bengal throughout. In the ongoing domestic season he has played three Ranji Trophy matches, taking 14 wickets, and has been named in Bengal's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning on November 14.
What is not yet known: Shami has not said when — or whether — he will play for India again in white-ball cricket. He remains available in the shorter formats, but a return to the national side would depend on form, fitness and selection.
What comes next
Shami's immediate future is in domestic and franchise cricket. He will continue in white-ball cricket, whether in domestic competitions or the IPL, and has kept the door open to four-day domestic cricket if he is fit. His next scheduled outing is the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Bengal from November 14.
For Indian cricket, his retirement closes the book on a pace-bowling era. Shami, Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav formed the core of an attack that won Test series in Australia and competed everywhere in the world. With Ishant and Shami now gone from the Test arena, the leadership of the attack passes firmly to a younger generation.
Frequently asked questions
Has Mohammed Shami retired from all cricket?
No. He has retired only from Test cricket. He said he will continue to play white-ball cricket, including in the IPL and domestic competitions, and could still play four-day domestic matches if fit.
What were Shami's Test career figures?
He played 64 Tests for India and took 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, with six five-wicket hauls. His best match figures were 9 for 118 on his debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in November 2013.
When did Shami last play a Test?
His last Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. Injuries — including ankle surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup — kept him out of the side afterwards.
Why did he retire now?
Shami chose November 6, the 13th anniversary of his Test debut, to bring the journey to an end. He had been out of the Indian Test side since the 2023 World Test Championship final and had been overlooked for recent Test series as selectors moved to younger bowlers.
Key takeaways
- Mohammed Shami has retired from Test cricket after 13 years, 64 Tests and 229 wickets at an average of 27.71.
- He announced the decision on November 6 — exactly 13 years after his debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, where he took 9 for 118.
- He finishes as India's sixth most successful fast bowler in Tests and the 12th highest wicket-taker overall.
- His last Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia; injuries and selection then ended his red-ball career.
- He will keep playing white-ball cricket in the IPL and domestic competitions, and is in Bengal's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad from November 14.
Shami signed off by thanking the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal, and expressing hope that more young cricketers would emerge from across the country. "I love you all," he said. "This cap and the red ball made me Mohammed Shami."
