Mohammed Shami, the India fast bowler, announced on Friday that he is retiring from Test cricket, ending a 13-year run in the format that began and closed on the same date. In a video message posted on Instagram from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, he said he had received his Test cap, number 279, on November 6 thirteen years ago and was putting it aside on November 6.
He finishes with 229 wickets from 64 Tests, taken across 122 innings at 27.71, with an economy rate of 3.30. His best figures in an innings were 6/56, and he took four wickets in an innings 12 times and five or more on six occasions.
Shami's debut came against the West Indies in 2013, when returns of 4/71 and 5/47 helped India to victory by an innings and 51 runs. His most recent Test was the 2021-23 World Test Championship final against Australia, in which he took 2/122 and 2/39 as India lost by 209 runs.
He made clear that only the longest format is behind him. White-ball cricket, including the IPL and domestic matches, will continue, and he said he would play domestic games where needed to stay fit. "As far as international Test cricket is concerned, the journey ends here," he said, adding that he started on that date and was concluding on it.
In the message he thanked his parents, family, friends and colleagues, along with coaches, trainers, physiotherapists and fans, and separately acknowledged the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal for their backing. "The pride of playing for India will always live on in my heart," he said. He called the format more than just a format to him and said he was leaving it with a heavy heart and countless memories.
Accounts of his final years differed. One report said he had featured little for India since picking up an injury at the 2023 ODI World Cup, with the team management citing fitness as the hurdle to a comeback, and that he was reportedly overlooked for Test selection, including for the tour of New Zealand. The other put the emphasis on a 13-year journey of comebacks from injury. The two also differed on the span itself, one counting 13 years and the other a decade.
He has not retired from one-day or Twenty20 internationals, one report said, adding that a T20I return looks unlikely while an outside chance remains of an ODI World Cup call-up if his domestic form is strong.
(With inputs from media reports)