Indian cricket fans were left stunned when veteran seamer Mohammed Shami decided to retire from the Test format. His announcement came on Friday 6th November 2026, thirteen years after he had made his debut for the national side against West Indies.

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane recalled how the seamer liked to unwind after a long bowling spell.

Gaurav Kapur was heard saying, “Make him bowl the entire day, and for his recovery Shami wanted his supply of meat and loads of sleep.” To which Rahane replied, mimicking his former teammate, “His recovery was something different. The physio used to ask him to go for an ice bath, to which Shami used to say, ‘Leave the ice bath. I need food’. He was a player who needed a plate full of food for his recovery.”

Cricket fraternity reacts

Ex-KKR star Manoj Tiwary, who played with the pacer for Bengal, took to his X account and paid glowing tribute to his former teammate. “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. This what it meant to me When I was leading the bengal team and having Shami in the bowling line up. Warrior at heart.”

Harsha Bhogle also praised the pacer. “Just because it was inevitable doesn’t make it less poignant. Shami delivered a red ball like few others before him could, his romance with the seam of a cricket ball is a story in itself. When the game seemed headed nowhere, he would cajole the seam into nipping one back, or leaving an unsuspecting batter. A player who bowled by the first principles of seam and swing bowling. Very well played Mohd Shami. Mazaa aa gaya. Wish you the very best in white ball cricket and I hope you can impart the principles of bowling to many who would want to walk in your footsteps.”

Munaf Patel and Priyank Panchal shared their views.