Indian cricket has lost one of its most dependable fast bowlers in Test cricket. Mohammed Shami has announced retirement from the longest format after an incredible 13 years on the road to glory spells, match-winning performances and comebacks.
Shami played 64 Tests for India and took 229 wickets at an average of 27.71. He has six five-wicket hauls to his name (best being 6/56).
Although he had many great spells in his career some spells stand out for their impact on Indian cricket. Before Shami goes into Test cricket history here are five of his most iconic performances:
1. Dream Test Debut Against West Indies – 2013
Shami couldn’t have asked for a better start to his Test career. He made his debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 6, 2013 and showed right away that he can trouble international batters.
He took four wickets in first innings and followed it with five more in second.
His match figures of 9/118 helped India win by an innings and 51 runs. It was a memorable introduction to international red-ball cricket and made Shami into a fast bowler to watch.
2. Johannesburg Masterclass Against South Africa – 2018.
South Africa has always been a tough place to come and play as a visiting team but Shami had one of his best ever performances at the Wanderers in January 2018.
In the second innings he cleaned up South Africa’s batting order with figures of 5/28.
His spell helped India bowl out South Africa for 177 chasing 241. Though India lost the three-match series, the win in Johannesburg became one of the most memorable moments of the tour.
3. Best Test Figures Against Australia – 2018
Shami produced another brilliant performance during India’s historic 2018-19 tour of Australia.
In the third Test at Perth in December 2018 he bowled his career best figures of 6/56 in Australia’s first innings.
His pace and movement troubled the Australian batters throughout the innings.
Australia eventually won the Perth Test but Shami's bowling was still one of the best individual efforts of the series. India went on to win the series 2-1 as the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia.
4. Five-Wicket Haul at Visakhapatnam – 2019
Shami showed his second-innings bowling skills once again in India’s home Test against South Africa at Visakhapatnam in October 2019.
He took five wickets for 35 runs in the fourth innings to bowl out South Africa and give India a comprehensive 203-run win.
The performance showed how he could turn the ball over and get movement when conditions improved.
5. Historic Boxing Day performance at Centurion – 2021.
Another unforgettable chapter came during India’s 2021-22 tour of South Africa.
In the first Test at Centurion Shami bowled a brilliant five wicket haul (5/44) in South Africa’s first innings.
He also took three wickets in the second innings and finished with eight wickets.
India won the Test by 113 runs and recorded a historic victory at Centurion.
India veteran Mohammed Shami calls time on his career in Test cricket. Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/iZaePQt3jU
— ICC (@ICC) November 6, 2026
Safed jersey se vida le raha hoon, lekin usse judi yaadon se kabhi nahi… 🇮🇳❤️ Jab pehli baar Bharat ki Test jersey pehni thi, tab sirf ek sapna tha — apne desh ke liye kuch kar dikhane ka.. Uske baad har wicket, har sangharsh, har chot aur har comeback ne mujhe kuch na kuch sikhaya. Test cricket mere liye sirf ek format nahi, meri zindagi ka ek behad khaas hissa raha hai. Aaj bhaari dil aur anginat khoobsurat yaadon ke saath main Test cricket se retirement lene ka faisla kar raha hoon. Is safar mein mera saath dene wale har teammate, coach, family aur un karodon Bharatiyon ka dil se shukriya, jinhone achhe aur mushkil dono waqt mein mujh par bharosa banaye rakha.. BCCI aur Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) ka bhi dil se shukriya, jinhone mere talent par bharosa kiya, mujhe aage badhne ke mauke diye aur mere cricket ke safar mein ek aham bhoomika nibhayi. Aapka saath aur vishwas mere liye hamesha khaas rahega. Maidan par meri aakhri Test ball bhale hi fenki ja chuki ho, lekin Bharat ke liye khelne ka garv hamesha mere dil mein zinda rahega. Shukriya, Test Cricket. ❤️ Aapka Shami 🇮🇳 #Mdshami11 #Mdshami #TestCricket #Retirement
— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) November 6, 2026
A Test Career Built on Pace, Skill and Determination
Shami’s impact on Indian Test cricket is not limited to his numbers. His ability to generate reverse swing, keep the ball moving and make breakthroughs made him a part of India’s fast bowling attack.
His career was also dogged by injuries and hard comebacks but he kept returning to the field and contributed to Indian cricket all over again.
His final Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.
With 229 wickets from 64 matches Shami leaves a big legacy behind in Indian cricket.
His white jersey journey is over but his retirement from Test cricket does not signal the end of his cricketing career. His fans will still hope for more memorable performances in the limited-overs formats.
Thank you Mohammed Shami for the memories in whites.
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