Ignored by selectors, Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket

New Delhi: Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtains down on a career in which he established himself as one of India's most reliable fast bowlers across conditions. The decision comes after the right-arm pace bowler was ignored by the national selectors repeatedly. The latest disappointment came when he was not picked in the squad for the tour of New Zealand.  

The 36-year-old announced his decision through an Instagram post, ending a 12-year journey in the longest format. Shami finished with 229 wickets in 64 Tests, including six five-wicket hauls.

Making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2013, Shami quickly became an integral part of India's pace attack, earning a reputation for his ability to generate seam movement and swing with both the new and old ball.

He was particularly effective overseas, claiming 145 wickets in 41 Tests at an average of 30.33. South Africa witnessed some of his finest performances. During India's 2018 tour, he took 5/28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test to help secure a consolation victory. On the subsequent tour, he picked up eight wickets in the first Test at Centurion as India registered another memorable win.

Shami's final Test appearance came in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. Although injuries interrupted various phases of his career, his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs made him a vital contributor to India's success in Test cricket.

"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," stated Shami on his Instagram post.

"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," he added.

"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," he concluded.

Tags : Mohammed Shami, retirement, New Zealand, Test, cricket