Mohammed Shami Takes A Call On His Retirement Now

Mohammed Shami and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]

Mohammed Shami has recently addressed ongoing discussions around his future. The experienced Indian pacer, who has not been part of the national team for a while, finally spoke out after facing repeated setbacks in his comeback attempts.

Notably, Shami last represented India during the Champions Trophy 2025. Since then, more than a year has passed without him featuring in international cricket. 

Even though he is fully fit, his return to the Indian side has not materialised. The exact reasons remain uncertain, and they are known only to the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Mohammed Shami's strong performances in Ranji Trophy 2025–26

Meanwhile, Shami has stayed active in domestic cricket, delivering strong performances for Bengal. During the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, he took 38 wickets in just seven matches. 

In addition, he recorded three five-wicket hauls, which placed him among the top performers of the tournament.

Impressive show in VHT 2025

Furthermore, his impressive form was not limited to red-ball cricket. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT 2025), he continued to perform well and picked up 15 wickets in seven matches. His economy rate of 6.09 reflected his control and effectiveness in limited-overs cricket. 

Even after such performances, Mohammed Shami was not selected for the ODI series against New Zealand. Similarly, he was also left out of the squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

As a result, many started speculating that the Indian team management may have moved ahead with younger players. This situation led to discussions about the possible end of Shami’s international career. In spite of these talks, Mohammed Shami has made his stance very clear.

Mohammed Shami makes strong statement on Retirement

The Bengal pacer stated that retirement is not something he is considering at this stage. According to him, such thoughts can negatively affect a player’s mindset. Instead, he believes in continuing as long as he feels motivated and enjoys the game.

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It is also worth noting that his reported disagreement with Ajit Agarkar over communication did not lead to any major change in his situation. At the same time, he has faced challenges off the field as well, including the loss of his BCCI central contract. Even so, he has remained focused on his game.

Currently, Mohammed Shami is playing for LSG in IPL 2026. During a recent interview, he directly addressed the retirement question and shared his thoughts openly. 

“As a bowler, I will give my 100 per cent. I’ll perform my responsibilities and try to meet the expectations set for me. Rest, I can’t change my luck. All I can contribute is with my attitude and determination. If Lucknow has trusted me, I will give my all. Still, whenever you’re playing, the main element is satisfaction," Shami said while speaking on The Shubhankar Mishra Show.

"Will I get the returns based on all the preparations that I have gone through? I did not focus on how much domestic I’ve played, but on the fact that my rhythm is alright. If that’s the point, I start thinking about the future,” he mentioned.

Looking ahead, LSG are set to begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Also Read: Players In LSG Squad Who Might Announce IPL Retirement After 2026 Season