BCCI pays tribute as Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket
Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday night, and the BCCI in New Delhi paid tribute on Saturday, saying he defined an era of pace bowling. The announcement ended Shami’s Test career, a run that concluded with 229 wickets from 64 matches.
Former India cricketers joined the tributes to Shami following his retirement. He finished as the sixth most successful Indian pace bowler in Tests behind Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma (both 311), Javagal Srinath (236) and Jasprit Bumrah (234).
"Thank you for defining an era of Indian pace bowling, Test Cap #279," wrote the BCCI on social media.
Ravi Shastri, who was India’s coach during part of Shami’s career, said he believed Shami still had red-ball cricket left in him and described the role Shami played in the fast-bowling unit; Shastri made his remarks to the host broadcaster during the second ODI in New Zealand.
Former players responded on social media and through statements. "Many congratulations on your wonderful red ball cricket career @MdShami11. Your late movement with that cherry will be missed," wrote Pathan. "You will be Missed in Whites Buddy, congratulations on your amazing career. See you soon in Blues," added Munaf Patel.
His Bengal teammate Manoj Tiwary called it an honour to have played alongside Shami and paid tribute to his impact on fans and teammates. "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," said Tiwary.
"Sad to see him go. I definitely though he had another 30-40 wickets left in him. He should have played in the last 12 months. May be should have been on this New Zealand tour as a Test match bowler," Shastri told the host broadcaster during the second ODI in New Zealand.
