![Shami retired from Tests on Friday [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794020898778_ShamiretiredfromTestsonFriday.jpg?type=hq)
Shami retired from Tests on Friday [Source: AFP]
On Friday night, veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his illustrious red-ball journey. He last played a Test match for India in the 2023 WTC final, and since then, he has been out of favour.
Shami has been a great servant for the Indian team in whites, and speaking about his greatness, India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, released his first statement after Shami announced his retirement.
"It's quite unfortunate": Morkel on Shami's retirement
For the last three years, Shami has been working hard to make a comeback in India’s Test setup. He has consistently delivered the goods playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, but the comeback doors were repeatedly closed.
Speaking to the official broadcaster ahead of the India vs New Zealand second ODI in Wellington, Morkel termed Shami’s Test retirement as “unfortunate.”
"Yeah, I was quite fortunate when I first started with the group for Shami to be a part of the team. You know, highly skillful player, a quality guy to have around in the group. And I was quite lucky when I joined for him to bring sort of the Indian language into the dressing room.
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He helped me quite a lot. So a sad day to see him go. But yeah, I mean, he's still bowling a lot of overs back home and it's still great to see," Morkel said.
Injuries hampered Shami's India comeback
Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2013, and he became a vital player of the red-ball side, especially under Virat Kohli’s leadership.
In 64 Tests, the right-arm seamer had picked up 229 wickets and was known for using the reverse swing to great effect. However, his last couple of years at the international level were marred by injuries.
The veteran pacer finished the 2023 ODI World Cup as the top wicket-taker, but he played the entire tournament through a chronic heel/ankle injury, and after the World Cup, the pacer underwent surgery, which kept him out for the majority of 2024.
His 2024-25 season was also marred by a left knee swelling, and his pace eventually dropped drastically.
Moreover, with the pacer entering the twilight of his career, the BCCI had no plans to include him in the red-ball setup, especially since the format is brutal for the fast bowlers.
