Key points

• Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, ending a 13-year career in the format.
• He took 229 wickets in 64 Tests at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls.
• Shami announced the decision on the 13th anniversary of his Test debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens.
• He will continue playing white-ball cricket and domestic four-day matches if fit.
• The BCCI thanked him for "defining an era of Indian pace bowling" as Test cap number 279.

Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year red-ball career that made him one of India's most dependable fast bowlers.

The 36-year-old confirmed his decision in a video posted on social media on Friday, exactly 13 years to the day after he made his Test debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 6 November 2013.

"I am retiring from Test cricket with beautiful memories," Shami said. "Test cricket is not just a format for me, it is a very special part of my life. I am leaving the white jersey, but never the memories connected to it."

The numbers behind the career

Shami finishes his Test career with 229 wickets from 64 matches at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls. That makes him India's sixth-highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Tests, behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (both 311), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234).

Renowned for his ability to generate seam movement and swing with both the new ball and the old one, Shami was a central figure in India's rise as a pace-bowling side, particularly in overseas conditions where Indian fast bowlers had rarely dominated before.

His final Test appearance came in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023. Injuries and selection decisions kept him out of the Test setup after that, and his last appearance for India in any format was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025.

Why now

Shami's announcement came shortly after he was left out of India's squads for the tour of New Zealand, despite strong domestic performances — he took four wickets for 30 runs for Bengal in the first round of the Ranji Trophy. He has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final.

"I received this cap on November 6, and today is November 6. I want to bring this journey to an end today," Shami said in his farewell message. "I fell, but got back up for this cap and the ball."

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Shami still had 30 to 40 Test wickets left in him and questioned the selectors' fitness assessment approach, while India bowling coach Morne Morkel called it "a sad day to see him go".

What comes next

Shami stressed that he is not leaving cricket. He will continue to play white-ball cricket, in domestic competitions and the IPL, and said he would remain available for domestic four-day matches if fit. He has been named in Bengal's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning on 14 November.

The BCCI paid tribute on social media, writing: "Thank you for defining an era of Indian pace bowling, Test Cap #279." Shami, India's Test cap number 279, also thanked the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal in his farewell message.

FAQ

How many Test wickets did Mohammed Shami take?

229 wickets in 64 Tests at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls.

When did Shami make his Test debut?

On 6 November 2013 against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He announced his retirement on 6 November 2026, exactly 13 years later.

Is Shami retiring from all cricket?

No. He has retired only from Test cricket and will continue playing white-ball cricket and domestic matches.

What was Shami's last Test match?

The World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023.