Former India coach Ravi Shastri criticises the selection committee for not giving Mohammad Shami another opportunity in Test cricket before his retirement announcement.
Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on November 6, 2026, through a social media post, concluding a 13-year international career that started in November 2013. The fast bowler departs with 229 wickets from 64 Tests, including six five-wicket hauls. His final Test appearance came in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.
Ravi Shastri, the former India coach, has expressed strong disappointment at how the selection committee managed Shami's career in the period leading to his retirement. Shastri outlined his concerns about the decision-making process that ultimately led to Shami stepping away from the longest format.
"It’s sad when someone who’s 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 perhaps should have been in the side as a Test-match bowler," Shastri said while speaking on Sony Sports Network.
Why was Shami excluded from recent Test squads?
Before the 2025 England tour, when India were in transition following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar indicated that Shami's workload requirements had not been met at that stage. Ahead of the West Indies Test series later in 2025, Agarkar provided no clear indication regarding Shami's fitness status, effectively keeping the bowler out of contention.
Shastri challenged the fitness concerns raised by the medical staff, who had advised against selecting Shami for the five-Test England tour. The former coach pointed to Shami's domestic performances as evidence of his readiness to return to international cricket, questioning the logic behind fitness assessments conducted away from match conditions.
"What’s the point of being fit in the gym if you can’t bowl 10 or 12 overs in a match? Here, you’ve got a workhorse who’s bowling for you. So, I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t get another go." Shastri said.
"I’ve heard all these press reports about his fitness not being good, but he was playing every game for Bengal. He was bowling 15-20 overs. What more do you want a player to do to prove his fitness?" he added.
Despite stepping away from Test cricket, Shami intends to continue playing white-ball formats, including the IPL and domestic cricket. If required for fitness purposes, he will participate in domestic multi-day cricket, but has ruled out any further international Test appearances.