Mohammed Shami has walked away from Test cricket. The India pacer announced his retirement from the longest format on Friday, November 6, through a heartfelt post on social media. The 36-year-old bid farewell to the white jersey, and he did it on the exact date he first wore it.

Shami wrote that when he first pulled on the Indian Test jersey, he carried only one dream: to do something for his country. Thirteen years later, on the same calendar date, he chose to close that chapter with gratitude and memories.

“मैं सफेद जर्सी को अलविदा कह रहा हूं, लेकिन इससे जुड़ी यादों को कभी नहीं छोड़ूंगा.”
(I am bidding farewell to the white jersey, but I will never let go of the memories attached to it.)

The debut that came full circle

Shami made his Test debut on November 6, 2013, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, against West Indies. The coincidence of the dates was not lost on him, and it became the emotional core of his announcement.

His career numbers tell the story of a bowler who stayed relevant for over a decade. He played 64 Tests for India and took 229 wickets at an average of 27.71. He recorded five-wicket hauls in an innings on six occasions.

His last Test was the World Test Championship final in June 2023 against Australia at The Oval in London. India lost that match.

Why the goodbye is not a complete exit

Shami’s post makes one thing clear: he is stepping away only from Test cricket. He said he will continue to play in limited-overs formats, which means ODIs and T20 Internationals. If required to maintain his fitness, he may also play domestic first-class cricket.

That distinction matters. Fans reading the announcement as a full retirement from the game will find a more nuanced message in the post itself. Shami has not shut the door on the national side.

The injury years that shaped the final chapter

The post does not spell out a detailed reason for the decision. It says he is making the call with a heavy heart and countless good memories. Still, his career over the past few years has been shaped by repeated setbacks.

After the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami underwent ankle surgery. A knee problem later kept him out of action for an extended period. He returned to international cricket in January 2025 through T20 cricket, and he was later included in the Champions Trophy squad.

After that, he did not feature for India in any format, according to the report. He continued to play for Bengal in domestic cricket and in the IPL during this period.

Shami’s post also acknowledged the hard periods, not just the highs. He wrote that every wicket, every struggle, every injury and every comeback taught him something. Those lines read less like a pitch for a comeback and more like the closing of a long, bruising book.

A thank-you that went beyond the dressing room

Shami thanked teammates, coaches, family members and what he called the crores of Indian fans who stood by him through good and difficult times. He also specifically named the BCCI and the Cricket Association of Bengal, saying both trusted his talent, gave him chances to move forward and played an important role in his cricket journey.

He ended the post with a line that has already been widely shared: even though his last Test ball has been bowled, the pride of playing for India will remain alive in his heart. He signed off with a simple thank you to Test cricket itself.

For a player whose career was defined by perseverance, that final note landed with force. It was short, personal and unmistakably his.