End of an Era: Mohammed Shami Retires from Test Cricket; Relive His Most Lethal Spells
Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket after 13 years. Relive the top 5 spells of the seam master who claimed 229 wickets for India.
One of the most lethal exponents of swing and seam in the modern era, Mohammed Shami, has officially called time on his Test career. In an emotional announcement shared via Instagram, the veteran pacer posted a picture holding his Test cap (number 279) and a red ball, marking the end of a journey that spanned exactly 13 years.
Shami's journey began on November 6, 2013, against the West Indies, and since then, he evolved into a cornerstone of India's pace attack. Over 64 Test matches and 122 innings, Shami claimed 229 wickets with an impressive average of 27.71 and a disciplined economy rate of 3.30. He departs as India's 12th-highest wicket-taker in the format and holds the fourth-best bowling average among Indian bowlers with over 200 Test scalps.
With 12 four-wicket hauls and six five-wicket hauls to his name, Shami's career was defined by his ability to dismantle batting lineups on any surface. Here is a look back at the five most iconic spells of his illustrious Test career.
1. The Perth Masterclass: 6/56 vs Australia (2018)
On the fast and bouncy tracks of Optus Stadium in Perth, Shami produced a spell that remains etched in Indian cricket history. Despite a quiet first innings where he went wicketless, Shami returned with a vengeance in the second. He ripped through Australia's top and middle order, claiming 6/56 in 24 overs to bowl them out for 243. While India eventually fell short in the match, this performance was a pivotal moment in the tour that saw India secure its first-ever Test series victory on Australian soil.
2. A Dream Debut: 9/118 vs West Indies (2013)
Shami entered the international scene with a bang at Eden Gardens. In what remains one of the greatest debuts for an Indian pacer, he took 4/71 in the first innings, removing key players like Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin. He followed it up with a dominant 5/47 in the second innings, finishing with match figures of 9/118. Although Rohit Sharma took the Player of the Match award for his century, Shami's arrival signaled the birth of a new superstar.
3. The Johannesburg Juggernaut: 5/28 vs South Africa (2018)
In a high-stakes encounter at Johannesburg, Shami proved to be the difference-maker. After a low-scoring first innings, India set South Africa a target of 240 runs. Shami stepped up in the second innings, starting with the crucial wicket of Aiden Markram and proceeding to wipe out the Proteas' tail. His clinical 5/28 skittled the hosts for 177, securing a historic and memorable victory for India.
4. Centurion Dominance: 5/44 vs South Africa (2021)
Shami's prowess in South African conditions was evident once again during the first Test at Centurion. While India posted 327 in the first innings, Shami ensured the Proteas couldn't keep pace, claiming 5/44 to bowl them out for 197. He didn't stop there, picking up another three wickets in the second innings as India defended their total to win by 113 runs.
5. Visakhapatnam Fire: 5/35 vs South Africa (2019)
Returning to home soil in Visakhapatnam, Shami delivered a knockout blow in the second innings of the first Test. After a high-scoring first innings where the Proteas put up 431, they were tasked with chasing 395 runs. Shami's relentless accuracy and movement resulted in 5/35, crashing through the South African lineup to bowl them out for just 191. While Rohit Sharma's batting earned him the Player of the Match honors, Shami's spell was the catalyst for the win.
Mohammed Shami leaves behind a legacy of precision and power, having been a vital cog in India's quest for dominance in the longest format of the game.