Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket, exactly 13 years after his debut — 64 Tests, 229 wickets
India fast bowler Mohammed Shami, 36, announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday 6 November 2026, in his own video and social-media post — exactly 13 years after his Test debut against West Indies at Eden Gardens on 6 November 2013. He finishes with 229 wickets in 64 Tests at 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls, as India's 12th-highest Test wicket-taker and sixth among fast bowlers. His last Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Shami said he will continue playing white-ball cricket, in the IPL and domestic cricket.
Key points
- Shami announced his Test retirement on Friday 6 November 2026, in his own video and post — exactly 13 years after his debut on 6 November 2013.
- Career: 64 Tests, 229 wickets at 27.71, six five-wicket hauls; India's 12th-highest Test wicket-taker, sixth among fast bowlers.
- Debut: 9 for 118 against West Indies at Eden Gardens. Last Test: the 2023 World Test Championship final at The Oval.
- He will continue in white-ball cricket — IPL and domestic — and thanked the BCCI, the Cricket Association of Bengal, team-mates, coaches and fans.
What happened
Shami, from Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, built his career with Bengal and became one of India's defining fast bowlers of the past decade — a wicket-to-wicket seamer with an upright seam and reverse swing, whose wickets came bowled or lbw nearly 45% of the time, ESPNcricinfo notes. India won 31 of his 64 Tests and never lost a home series with him in the side.
Injuries shaped the closing years: ankle surgery and knee problems after the 2023 ODI World Cup kept him out for long stretches, and though he returned for the 2025 Champions Trophy, he had not been recalled to the Test side since the 2023 final. He chose the anniversary of his debut to close the red-ball chapter himself.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedMohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday 6 November 2026 in a video and post on his own social media. In the post he wrote: "Today, with a heavy heart and countless beautiful memories, I am taking the decision to retire from Test cricket," and "I am bidding farewell to the white kit, but never to the memories associated with it." In the video he noted he received his Test cap on 6 November and was ending the journey on 6 November.ESPNcricinfo — Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket (6 Nov 2026; read in full) · Cricbuzz — Shami announces retirement from Tests (6 Nov 2026; read in full)
- ✓ VerifiedShami finishes with 64 Tests and 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, with six five-wicket hauls — India's 12th-highest Test wicket-taker overall and sixth among fast bowlers. He debuted against West Indies at Eden Gardens on 6 November 2013 with a match haul of 9 for 118, still his best, and his last Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.ESPNcricinfo — Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket (6 Nov 2026; read in full) · Cricbuzz — Shami announces retirement from Tests (6 Nov 2026; read in full)
- ✓ VerifiedShami said he will continue playing white-ball cricket — the IPL and domestic cricket — and multi-day domestic cricket if needed for fitness. He has not played for India in any format since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025, and has played three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal this season.ESPNcricinfo — Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket (6 Nov 2026; read in full) · Cricbuzz — Shami announces retirement from Tests (6 Nov 2026; read in full)