Indian Pacer Mohammed Shami Steps Away From Test Cricket

Mohammed Shami has officially ended his career in the longest format of the game, taking to social media to announce his decision.

Career Record

The 36-year-old fast bowler played 64 matches for the national team in red-ball cricket, claiming a total of 229 dismissals at a cost of roughly 27 runs per success. He recorded six innings with five or more scalps during this span. His final match in this format came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia held at The Oval. According to ICC records, his overseas success included 145 scalps across 41 matches.

Debut And Success

Shami began his red-ball international journey exactly 13 years prior to his retirement date, playing his first match against West Indies at Eden Gardens and immediately taking nine wickets in the fixture. Noted for his skill with reverse swing and seam movement in the sub-continent, he also proved effective abroad, claiming four of his five-wicket hauls in overseas series in Australia and South Africa, which included notable bowling performances in Johannesburg and Centurion.

Injuries And Return

Various physical setbacks interrupted his path, leading to ankle surgery and knee trouble following the 2023 home ODI World Cup that kept him out of action for a long spell. He returned to the national setup for the T20 format in January 2025 and played in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, though he has continued playing domestic cricket for Bengal and in the Indian Premier League since then. He finishes his red-ball journey as India's 12th most prolific wicket-taker overall and sixth among fast bowlers.

Context

Fast bowlers in international cricket frequently face career-ending physical strain due to the high-impact nature of fast-paced deliveries over five-day matches. Managing workloads and recovering from major joint surgeries are common challenges for veteran athletes trying to extend their playing days.