India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has brought his Test career to a close, confirming his retirement from the longest format on Friday, November 6 — exactly 13 years after he first played Test cricket for his country.
Shami Ends 13-Year Test Journey
Shami shared the decision in a video message posted on his social media accounts on Friday night, bringing a formal end to a red-ball journey that began in Kolkata more than a decade ago.
He made his Test debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on November 6, 2013, and marked the occasion with a match haul of 9 wickets for 118 runs. He wore Test cap number 279.
“I am leaving the white jersey, but never the memories connected to it,” Shami said.
He said he had taken the decision with a heavy heart and countless beautiful memories, adding that the format had shaped his identity as a cricketer and given him experiences he would carry with him.
Career Numbers In Brief
| Matches | 64 |
| Wickets | 229 |
| Bowling average | 27.71 |
| Five-wicket hauls | 6 |
| Best innings bowling | 6 for 56 |
| Test debut | 6 November 2013 vs West Indies, Eden Gardens |
| Final Test | June 2023 vs Australia, The Oval |
| 50-over World Cup wickets | 55 (India’s leading wicket-taker in 50-over World Cups) |
Shami finishes as India’s sixth most successful fast bowler in Tests, behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan (311), Ishant Sharma (311), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234).
Away from home, he was at his best, taking 131 wickets in 35 Tests in South Africa, West Indies and England at an average under 25.
White-Ball Cricket Continues
“I made my debut today, and today I am taking retirement. I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether it is IPL or domestic,” he said.
Shami, 36, will keep playing white-ball cricket, including the IPL with Lucknow Super Giants and domestic cricket with Bengal, and will play domestic multi-day matches if needed for fitness. He has been named in Bengal’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting November 14.
He has been out of the India team since the 2025 Champions Trophy. His last ODI for India was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, and his last T20I was against England in February 2025.
Final Test Came In 2023
His last Test appearance was the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. Injuries and fitness concerns kept him out of the Test side after that, although he continued to play limited-overs cricket.
He thanked the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal, and said he hoped more young cricketers would come through from across the country.
