Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket: WV Raman leads tributes
Synopsis
Mohammed Shami has walked away from Test cricket with 229 wickets and a legacy as India's sixth-most successful fast bowler in the format. Former Bengal coach WV Raman, who handed Shami his Ranji Trophy debut in 2010, was among the first to pay tribute — a full-circle moment that underlines just how far this pacer from Amroha travelled.
Key Takeaways
Mohammed Shami announced his Test cricket retirement on 7 November 2026 .
He finishes with 229 wickets from 64 Tests , including six five-wicket hauls — the sixth-highest tally by an Indian fast bowler.
Former Bengal coach WV Raman paid tribute on X , calling Shami 'a delight to watch all these years'.
Shami's overseas record stands at 145 wickets in 41 away matches at an average of 30.33 ; home average was an exceptional 22.1 .
His last Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia .
Shami will continue in white-ball cricket and joins Bengal's squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from 14 November .
Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, 7 November 2026, drawing an outpouring of tributes from the cricketing fraternity. Among the first to respond was former India opener and ex-Bengal head coach WV Raman, who had a front-row seat to Shami's formative years in domestic cricket.
Raman's Tribute to a Bowler He Shaped
Writing on his X account, Raman posted: 'Mohd Shami has been a delight to watch all these years during which time he made an indelible impact in the toughest format of the game arguably -- Test cricket! Well done Shami.. Have fun till you have had enough of this game..'
The connection between the two men dates to 2010, when Raman was in charge of the Bengal senior men's team. It was under his stewardship that Shami made his Ranji Trophy debut against Assam on 17 November 2010, going on to become the side's leading bowler before earning an India call-up in 2013.
Shami's Test Record at a Glance
Shami closes his Test career with 229 wickets from 64 matches, including six five-wicket hauls, making him the sixth-most successful Indian fast bowler in the history of the format. His overseas record was particularly imposing — 145 wickets in 41 away games at an average of 30.33. Remarkably, he was even deadlier at home, claiming 76 wickets at an average of just 22.1 on pitches that traditionally offer little to pace bowlers.
His final Test appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
The Journey: From Amroha to the Apex
Shami was born in Sahaspur Alinagar village in Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh. Seeking better playing opportunities, he moved to Kolkata to play club cricket, which eventually opened the door to the Bengal side and, subsequently, the Indian Test team. His ability to extract seam movement and swing with both the new and the old ball made him one of the most complete fast bowlers of his generation.
What Comes Next for Shami
While his Test journey is over, Shami will continue in white-ball cricket. He has been named in Bengal's 19-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which commences on 14 November. Bengal open their campaign against Karnataka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on the tournament's first day, competing in Elite Group A alongside Karnataka, Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Shami's retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian fast bowling, and attention will now turn to who steps into his role in the red-ball setup.
Point of View
Yet in hindsight it follows a familiar arc: a pace bowler whose body absorbed the punishment of the longest format and who chose to exit on his own terms rather than wait to be dropped. The more interesting question is structural — with Shami gone and Jasprit Bumrah's workload already managed carefully, India's new-ball depth in Test cricket faces a genuine stress test. Raman's tribute also surfaces something the headline numbers don't: the pipeline that produced Shami ran through domestic cricket infrastructure in Bengal, not an NCA programme or IPL franchise. That is worth noting as administrators debate where fast-bowling talent really comes from.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wickets did Mohammed Shami take in Test cricket?
Mohammed Shami retired from Test cricket with 229 wickets from 64 matches, including six five-wicket hauls. That tally places him sixth on the all-time list of Indian fast bowlers in the format.
Why did Mohammed Shami retire from Test cricket?
Shami announced his decision to quit the longest format on 7 November 2026, though no detailed public reason was given beyond the retirement announcement. He will continue to play white-ball cricket at both domestic and, presumably, international level.
What is WV Raman's connection to Mohammed Shami?
WV Raman was Bengal's head coach when Shami made his Ranji Trophy debut against Assam on 17 November 2010. Raman is widely credited with giving Shami the opportunity that set him on the path to the Indian Test team by 2013.
What will Mohammed Shami do after retiring from Tests?
Shami has been named in Bengal's 19-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on 14 November 2026. Bengal open against Karnataka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Where does Mohammed Shami rank among Indian fast bowlers in Tests?
Shami is the sixth-most successful Indian fast bowler in Test history, with 229 wickets. His home average of 22.1 and overseas tally of 145 wickets in 41 away matches underline his impact across all conditions.
