Mohammad Shami Retirement: Ravi Shastri Says India Pacer Had 30-40 Test Wickets Left

New Delhi, Nov 7: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Mohammad Shami had another 30-40 wickets left in his Test career, expressing disappointment after the veteran fast bowler announced his retirement from the longest format.

Shami called time on his Test career on Friday (November 6) night after taking 229 wickets in 64 matches. Shastri, who worked closely with the pacer during his tenure as India’s head coach, said Shami remained a vital part of India’s bowling unit and could have continued to contribute in red-ball cricket.

“Incredible career. I was lucky that I was the coach at that time. He was instrumental in India doing well. Without him the fast bowling unit would not have functioned. No one presented the seam better than him in world cricket. You could say James Anderson as well,” Shastri told the host broadcaster during the second ODI between India and New Zealand.

“If Shami did not get the wickets, he would still keep the pressure on the opposition. Sad to see him go. I definitely thought he had another 30-40 wickets left in him. He should have played in the last 12 months. Maybe he should have been on this New Zealand tour as a Test match bowler,” Shastri added.

BCCI Pays Tribute To Mohammad Shami

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also paid a glowing tribute to Shami, describing him as a bowler who defined an era of Indian pace bowling.

“Thank you for defining an era of Indian pace bowling, Test Cap 279,” the BCCI wrote on social media.

Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday night, bringing an end to a career in which he became one of India’s most dependable fast bowlers.

The 35-year-old finished with 229 wickets from 64 Tests, making him India’s sixth-most successful fast bowler in the format. He is behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (311 each), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234).

Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel Pay Tribute To Shami

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan congratulated Shami on his red-ball career, highlighting the late movement he generated with the ball.

“Many congratulations on your wonderful red-ball cricket career @MdShami11. Your late movement with that cherry will be missed,” Pathan wrote.

Former India pacer Munaf Patel also paid tribute, saying Shami would be missed in the whites. “You will be missed in whites, buddy. Congratulations on your amazing career. See you soon in blues,” Munaf wrote.

Manoj Tiwary Remembers Shami’s Bengal Days

Shami’s Bengal teammate Manoj Tiwary reflected on the experience of playing alongside the fast bowler, recalling his impact as a leader and member of the bowling attack.

“The red ball may no longer be in his hands, but the memories of his thunderbolts will forever remain in the hearts of cricket lovers. Some legends don’t say goodbye; they simply become history,” Tiwary wrote.

Recalling his time leading Bengal, Tiwary added: “This is what it meant to me when I was leading the Bengal team and having Shami in the bowling line-up. Warrior at heart.”

(With Inputs from PTI)