Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is disappointed that Mohammed Shami did not get another chance in India’s Test team before announcing his retirement from the format. Shastri believes the senior fast bowler had done enough to prove his fitness through his performances in domestic cricket. He pointed out that Shami regularly played for Bengal and bowled long spells despite questions about his fitness.Shastri said playing in the gym and bowling in an actual match were two different things. According to him, a bowler’s ability to bowl 10-12 overs in a match should be a better test of fitness.“What’s the point of being fit in the gym if you can’t bowl 10 or 12 overs in a match? Here, you’ve got a workhorse who’s bowling for you. So, I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t get another go,” Shastri said on Sony Sports Network ahead of the second ODI.The former India coach also questioned what more Shami needed to do to convince the selectors that he was ready to play international cricket.
‘What more do you want a player to do?’
Shastri said Shami’s regular appearances for Bengal and his bowling workload in first-class cricket were clear signs of his fitness.“I’ve heard all these press reports about his fitness not being good, but he was playing every game for Bengal. He was bowling 15-20 overs. What more do you want a player to do to prove his fitness? If he’s in good form and has a good IPL, and one of your senior bowlers suddenly breaks down, you’ll be looking for experience. But you’ve got a player like him there.“It’s sad when someone who’s played so well for the country has to go. I definitely thought he had another 30 or 40 wickets in him. He should have played in the last 12 months and perhaps should have been in the side as a Test-match bowler,” Shastri added.Shami played three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal in the ongoing season and picked up 14 wickets. Shastri felt the experienced fast bowler could still have played an important role in India’s Test attack.
Shami announces retirement from Test cricket
Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, bringing an end to his 13-year career in the longest format. However, the 36-year-old made it clear that he would continue playing white-ball cricket.The fast bowler announced his decision through an Instagram post.“I am leaving the white jersey, but never the memories connected to it. When I first wore India’s Test jersey, I had only a dream — to do something for my country. After that every wicket, every struggle, every injury and every comeback taught me something,” Shami said in his social media account.“Test cricket is not just a format for me, it is a very special part of my life. Today I am deciding to retire from Test cricket with a heavy heart and unlimited beautiful memories,” he added.In a video message from his farmhouse in Sahaspur Alinagar village in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district, Shami looked back at his journey in the longest format.“It’s been a long journey of 13 years. Starting out from this village, I have worked very hard, seen many ups and downs, and finally, on this day, November 6, I received my Test cap and the red ball,” he said.Shami also spoke about what the Test cap meant to him.“After a lot of hard work, I earned this cap. Today, I completed 13 years in this journey. This cap and the red ball made me Mohammed Shami. There were many ups and downs along the way. I fell, but got back up for this cap and the ball,” he said.Thanking those who supported him throughout his career, he added, “I thank my coaches, trainers and fans. A special thanks to the fans.”
Shami finishes with 229 Test wickets
Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens on November 6, 2013. He finished his career with 229 wickets in 64 Tests at an average of 27.71. His tally included six five-wicket hauls.He is India’s sixth-highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test cricket. Kapil Dev leads the list with 434 wickets, followed by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma with 311 each, Javagal Srinath with 236 and Jasprit Bumrah with 234.Shami’s ability to move the ball with both the new and old ball made him an important part of India’s pace attack.Some of his best performances came in South Africa. He took 5/28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test during India’s 2018 tour, helping the visitors win the match. On India’s next tour of South Africa, he picked up eight wickets in the first Test at Centurion.His last Test appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.
Shami to continue playing white-ball cricket
Injuries kept Shami out of the Indian team for long periods. He has not played for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy.However, his retirement from Test cricket does not mean the end of his playing career. He said he would continue to play white-ball cricket and could also feature in four-day matches if he remained fit.“I received this cap on November 6, and today is November 6. I want to bring this journey to an end today. But I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether in domestic competitions or the IPL.“If I am fit, I will continue playing four-day cricket, but this is the end of my international Test career. My journey in this format ends here,” added Shami, who is named in Bengal’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning on November 14.Shami also thanked the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for their support.“I love you all and hope many more talents emerge. A big thank you to the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal,” he signed off.
