‘What more do you want him to do?’: Ravi Shastri asks voters on Mohammed Shami’s retirement

Mohammed Shami and Ravi Shastri (Image credit: Agencies) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is disappointed that Mohammed Shami was not given another chance in the Indian Test team before announcing his retirement from the format. Shastri believes the senior fast bowler has done enough to prove his mettle with his performances in domestic cricket. He pointed out that Shami played regularly for Bengal and played long spells despite questions about his fitness.Shastri said playing in the gym and bowling in an actual match were two different things. According to him, a better test of fitness should be a bowler’s ability to bowl 10-12 overs in a match.“What’s the point of being fit in the gym if you can’t bowl 10 or 12 overs in a match? You’ve got a puller here who’s going to bowl for you. So I’m a bit disappointed that he hasn’t made it,” Shastri said on Sony Sports Network ahead of the second ODI.The former India coach also asked what Shami still needs to do to convince the selectors that he is ready to play international cricket.

“What else do you want the player to do?”

Shastri said Shami’s regular appearances in Bengal and his workload in first-class cricket were clear signs of his fitness.“I’ve heard all these press reports about his fitness not being good, but he played every game for Bengal. He played 15-20 overs. What more do you want from a player to prove his fitness? If he’s in good form and has had a good IPL and one of your senior bowlers suddenly breaks down, you’re going to look for experience. But you have a player like him there.“It’s sad when someone who played so well for the country has to go. I definitely thought he had another 30 or 40 wickets in him. He should have played in the last 12 months and maybe he should be in the side as a Test match bowler,” added Shastri.Shami has played three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal in the ongoing season and has picked up 14 wickets. Shastri felt that the experienced fast bowler could still play an important role in the Indian Test attack.

Shami announces retirement from Test cricket

Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday, ending his 13-year career in the longest format. However, the 36-year-old made it clear that he will continue to play white-ball cricket.The fast bowler announced his decision through an Instagram post.“I am leaving the white jersey, but I have never had any memories with it. When I first wore the Indian Test jersey, I had only a dream – to do something for my country. After that, every wicket, every match, every injury and every comeback taught me something,” Shami said on his social media account.“Test cricket for me is not just a format, it is a very special part of my life. Today I decide to retire from Test cricket with a heavy heart and unlimited fond memories,” he added.In a video message from his farmhouse in Sahaspur Alinagar village in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district, Shami looked back on his journey in the longest format.“It has been a long journey of 13 years. I came from this village, worked very hard, saw many ups and downs and finally, on this day, November 6, I got a Test cap and a red ball,” he said.Shami also spoke about what the Test cap meant to him.“After a lot of hard work I have earned this cap. Today I have completed 13 years of this journey. This cap and the red ball have made me Mohammed Shami. There have been many ups and downs along the way. I have fallen but I got up for this cap and the ball,” he said.He thanked those who supported him throughout his career, adding: “Thank you to my coaches, trainers and fans. Special thanks to the fans.”

Shami ends with 229 Test wickets

Shami made his Test debut against West Indies at the Eden Gardens on 6 November 2013. He finished his career with 229 wickets in 64 Tests at an average of 27.71. His account included six five-wicket hauls.He is the sixth highest wicket-taking Indian fast bowler in Test cricket. Kapil Dev leads the list with 434 wickets, followed by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma with 311, Javagal Srinath with 236 and Jasprit Bumrah with 234.Shami’s ability to move the ball with both the new ball and the old has made him an important part of India’s pace attack.Some of his best performances came in South Africa. During India’s 2018 tour, he took 5/28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test, helping the visitors win the match. On India’s next tour of South Africa, he took eight wickets in the first Test at Centurion.His last Test appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.

Shami to continue playing white ball cricket

Injuries kept Shami out of the Indian team for a long time. He has not played for India since Champions Trophy 2025.However, his retirement from Test cricket does not mean the end of his playing career. He said that he will continue to play white-ball cricket and if he stays fit, he might feature in the four-day matches as well.“I got this cap on November 6 and today is November 6. Today I want to complete this journey. But I will continue to play white-ball cricket, whether in domestic competitions or the IPL.”“If I am fit, I will continue with four-day cricket but this is the end of my international Test career. My journey in this format ends here,” added Shami, who is named in Bengal’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting November 14.Shami also thanked BCCI and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for their support.“I love you all and hope many more talents emerge. Big thanks to BCCI and Cricket Association of Bengal,” he signed off.

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