Mohammed Shami Retires From Test Cricket After 64 Tests and 229 Wickets

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, November 6, 2026. The ICC confirmed the announcement, which Shami made in a video and a social media post on the anniversary of his Test debut.

"Today, with a heavy heart and countless beautiful memories, I am taking the decision to retire from Test cricket," Shami said. "I am bidding farewell to the white kit, but never to the memories associated with it."

A debut that set the mark

Shami made his Test debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens on November 6, 2013, exactly 13 years before Friday's announcement. He took a match haul of 9 for 118 on debut, which remained his best match performance in the format.

He was born in Amroha in western Uttar Pradesh and moved to Bengal in search of better cricketing opportunities. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Bengal in November 2010.

"So, I got this [his Test cap] on 6th November, and today is 6th November. So, let's end this 13-year journey here today. I made my debut today, and today I am taking retirement," Shami said in the video posted on his social media accounts, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

The record he leaves

Shami played 64 Tests for India and took 229 wickets, with six five-wicket hauls. He finishes with a Test bowling average of 27.71 and a strike rate of 50.2. ESPNcricinfo and the ICC place him as the sixth-most successful fast bowler for India, and Cricbuzz puts the same record as India's 12th highest wicket-taker in the format overall and sixth among pacers.

India won 31 of the 64 Tests he played and drew 13, and he never lost a series at home.

The ICC pointed to two away performances in South Africa. Shami took 5 for 28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test on India's 2018 tour, and he took eight wickets in the first Test at Centurion on the next tour.

Injuries and the final Tests

Shami's last Test appearance was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval, which India lost. He has not played any international cricket since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025.

Cricbuzz reported that Shami underwent ankle surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup and had knee-related issues that kept him out of the national side for a considerable period.

What continues

Shami said he will continue to play white-ball cricket. "I am leaving this, but I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether it is IPL or domestic," he said.

He plays for Bengal in domestic cricket and was part of their team at their most recent match earlier this week. Cricbuzz reported he has played three Ranji Trophy games for Bengal in the ongoing domestic season and has also been named in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 squad. In the IPL, he plays for Lucknow Super Giants.