Mohammed Shami to retire from international cricket? Indian pacer himself opens up

Amid speculation, Mohammed Shami shuts down retirement rumors, declaring his intent to keep playing. The veteran pacer says he’ll retire only when he feels bored—not when others want him to.

By Rui 28 Aug 2025 in Cricket

New Update

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has opened up on the retirement talks, stating he is not considering stepping away from the game of cricket anytime soon. Interestingly, Shami hasn’t been part of the Indian team since the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to fitness concerns.

While he missed out on the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England as he couldn’t bowl longer spells in Tests, he isn’t included for the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025 campaign as well.

It’s important to note that Shami was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for Men In Blue as India successfully lifted the title, defeating New Zealand in the grand finale.

"If someone has a problem, tell me, if it is like their lives become better if I take retirement. Tell me whose life have I become a rock in that you want me to retire? The day I get bored, I will leave. You don't pick me, but I will keep working hard. You don't pick me in international, I will play domestic. I will keep playing somewhere or the other. You have to make these decisions when you start feeling bored. That is not the time for me now," Shami told News24.

It's worth noting that Shami concluded the ODI World Cup in 2023 as the leading wicket-taker, scalping 24 wickets from seven matches at an average of 10.71 with three five-wicket hauls. While India failed to clinch the title, losing to Australia in 2023, Shami has already set his sights for the forthcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2027.

"I only have one dream left, that is to win the ODI World Cup. I want to be a part of that team and perform that wins the ODI World Cup and brings it home. We were very close in 2023. We had a gut feeling, but we also had a fear that we were winning non-stop, and it was the knockout stage. There was some fear. But the enthusiasm and belief of the fans motivated us. This was a dream that could have been fulfilled, but maybe it was not in my luck," he concluded.

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