Mohammed Shami stepped away from Test cricket on November 6, 2026, concluding a 13-year international career that began in November 2013. The 36-year-old pace bowler finished with 229 wickets across 64 Tests played over 122 innings, maintaining an average of 27.71 and an economy rate of 3.30. His best Test performance was 6 for 56, and he recorded 12 four-wicket hauls and six five-wicket hauls during his tenure in the longest format. Shami’s final Test came in June 2023 at the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, where he took 2 for 122 and 2 for 39 across the two innings.
Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin responded to Shami’s retirement with a blend of emotion and professional respect. Speaking about the bowler’s decision, Azharuddin acknowledged the significance of losing a player who had served Indian cricket for over a decade and contributed substantially to the team’s success in the five-day format.
Azharuddin expressed his feelings about Shami stepping away from Test cricket, recognising both the emotional weight of the moment and the bowler’s right to make his own choice about his career.
“Whenever a player retires, it is a very emotional moment because you get used to watching him play for so many years. Shami has played for more than 13 years and has given a lot to the country. It is sad that he has retired, but since he has taken the decision, we have to respect it. He has done exceptionally well for the country,” Azharuddin said as quoted by NDTV Sports.
Why Azharuddin believed Shami could have played longer?
Azharuddin expressed surprise at the timing of Shami’s decision to step away from the five-day format. The former captain believed the pace bowler still possessed the skill and fitness to continue playing Test cricket and suggested an alternative approach to managing his international career.
“I wish him all the best. Personally, I did not think he would retire so early because I always believed he was a very good bowler for the five-day format. It is surprising that he has retired from Test cricket. Maybe he could have continued playing the longer format and considered retirement from ODIs later. But ultimately, it is his decision. He was an outstanding bowler who worked extremely hard on his craft and was still performing well,” Azharuddin said.
Shami’s place among India’s greatest fast bowlers
Describing Shami as one of India’s finest pace bowlers, Azharuddin hoped the BCCI would utilise his experience beyond his playing career. The former captain emphasised Shami’s technical excellence and work ethic, comparing him to Kapil Dev as a bowler of exceptional quality and dedication to the craft.
“I hope and pray that he imparts his knowledge to younger players. I also sincerely hope that the BCCI recognises his services and considers him for a coaching role or another position in the future. He is one of the finest fast bowlers India has produced after Kapil Paaji. There can be no comparison with Kapil Paaji, but Shami belonged to the same mould,” Azharuddin said.
Azharuddin further stressed the value of Shami’s experience for India’s next generation of pace bowlers. He called on the BCCI to provide Shami with an opportunity to guide younger fast bowlers and strengthen India’s bowling stocks for future international challenges.
“I hope the BCCI gives him an opportunity to guide the next generation. There is no shortage of talented fast bowlers in India today, and his experience over the years can be invaluable for Indian cricket and the country’s young pacers,” Azharuddin concluded.
