Veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami has called time on his illustrious Test career. In an emotional post on Instagram, Shami thanked the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for their support and opportunities.
Mohammad Shami made his India Test debut in 2013 against the West Indies in what was the farewell series for Sachin Tendulkar. He went on to play 64 Tests for India from 2013 to 2023, taking 229 wickets with the best bowling of 6/56 at an average of 27.71. As one of the best pacers for India bids goodbye to Test cricket, we take a look at 3 of the best performances of Shami in the format.
Here are the 3 best performances in Mohammad Shami’s Test career:
3. 9/118 vs. West Indies, Kolkata, 2013 (Debut)
Mohammad Shami made his India debut in 2013 in Kolkata, his home ground, against the West Indies. India played only two pacers, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar being the other. Shami did well in the first innings, taking 4/71 and impressing everyone with his pace and ability to swing and seam the ball. After India made 453 in response to Windies’ 234, Shami routed the West Indies in the second innings with figures of 5/47 as they were bowled out for 168, losing the game by an innings and 51 runs. Shami returned figures of 9/18 in an impressive dream debut.
2. 6/56 vs. Australia, Perth, 2018
Mohammad Shami recorded his best bowling figures in Tests against Australia, taking 6/56 at the Perth Stadium during the 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. India had come into the series after winning the first Test in Adelaide. Australia gained a 47-run lead after scoring 326 runs and keeping India to 283 in the first innings. In the second innings, Mohammad Shami roared into form, taking six wickets as Australia were bundled out for 243 runs. However, Shami’s career-best effort went in vain, as India only managed 140 in the chase of 287 runs.
1. 5/28 vs. South Africa, Johannesburg, 2018
India had already lost the three-Test series after losing the first two Tests and was playing the third Test for reputation. India was bowled out for 187, while Jasprit Bumrah’s fifer kept South Africa to 194 runs. India managed 247 in the second innings, asking the Proteas to chase 241 runs. This was when the biryani lover Mohammad Shami stepped up with figures of 5/28, as, apart from Dean Elgar (88*) and Hashim Amla (52), no other batter from the home team could withstand his onslaught. India won the game by 63 runs thanks to Shami.
