Mohammed Shami bids farewell to Test cricket after 13-year career

Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of a 13-year career in the format exactly 13 years after his Test debut. He shared the news in an Instagram post on Friday, writing that he is parting with the white jersey but not the memories attached to it. During his Test career, Shami claimed 229 wickets at an average of 27.71. He is one of only six Indian fast bowlers to cross the 200-wicket mark in Test matches. His notable overseas performances include figures of 5/28 in Johannesburg, 5/44 in Centurion, and a career-best 6/56 in Perth. Along with Jasprit Bumrah, he formed a fast-bowling pair that took 202 wickets across 25 Tests together. Shami began his journey in Sahaspur in western Uttar Pradesh and worked his way up through Kolkata maidans. His career involved overcoming various injuries, accusations, personal loss, and severe criticism before he ultimately decided to step away from the longest format of the game. He may still continue playing limited-overs cricket until the squad for the next World Cup in South Africa is announced.

Context

Test cricket is considered the ultimate format of the sport, and players often spend years establishing themselves in the national team's white-jersey squad. Fast bowlers face heavy physical demands, making long careers in Test cricket rare and challenging to sustain through injuries and age.