Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket after 229 wickets

Mohammed Shami, the India pacer, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, 6 November, ending a 13-year career. The 36-year-old finished with 229 wickets from 64 Tests, which makes him the sixth most successful Indian pacer in the format.

He will carry on in white-ball cricket. Shami made the announcement in an Instagram post, with a video message recorded at his farmhouse in Sahaspur Alinagar village, Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh.

The Test career

Five Indian pacers are ahead of him: Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (both 311), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234). The ICC says Shami’s Test record includes six five-wicket hauls.

He took 131 wickets in 35 Tests in South Africa, the West Indies and India, averaging under 25. One of his best spells came at Johannesburg in 2018, where he took 5/28 in the second innings to help India to a consolation win.

Shami, India’s Test cap number 279, said he received his cap on the same date, and chose to end the journey 13 years later.

Last Test and what he said

His last Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia, and he has been out of the Indian team since the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Shami said he will keep playing white-ball cricket, in domestic competitions or the IPL, and may turn out in four-day cricket if he is fit. His international Test career, he made clear, ends here.

What’s next

Shami is named in Bengal’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on 14 November. He has also played three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal this season and taken 14 wickets.