Did the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) force Mohammed Shami to consider his Test retirement? Speculation instantly took off when the pace bowler announced his retirement on November 6, 2026, exactly 13 years to the day after making his Test debut.

A couple of days after his retirement, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla spoke on Shami's retirement. According to him, taking retirement from Tests was completely the fast bowler's own call, not influenced by the board.

Selectors denied Mohammed Shami a spot in the Test team

Mohammed Shami, who has been playing consistently well for Bengal across different domestic tournaments, including the Ranji Trophy, was denied access to enter the Test squad, citing concerns over his fitness.

All doors to reclaim a spot in the Test squad seemed to be closed for the experienced bowler when the panel of selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced a squad for a Test series against West Indies without Mohammed Shami. When Ajit Agarkar was asked to shed some light on the future of the Bengal pacer, Agarkar told the reporters that he did not have enough input on the bowler's fitness status.

Mohammed Shami continued to shine despite fitness concerns

Shami had a history of multiple injury setbacks. The major heel and Achilles tendon surgery in the United Kingdom in February 2024 became one of the turning points of his career, as it took him away from any kind of competitive matches for a long time. He went for the surgery after the conclusion of the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup campaign. Then, he had to deal with knee issues as well.

Despite repeated setbacks because of injuries, Shami started to show his true colours in domestic cricket for the Bengal state cricket team. He delivered a standout campaign for Bengal in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, taking 37 wickets in 7 matches, including a 9-wicket haul against Jammu and Kashmir in the semi-final. Later, he played a major role behind East Zone's latest triumph in the Duleep Trophy as well.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Mohammed Shami's Test retirement

Speaking to the news agency ANI, Rajeev Shukla stated that signing off from Tests was Shami's own call. Shukla noted that across red-ball and white-ball formats, the proven pacer served the national cricket team well enough.

"Mohammad Shami has announced his retirement from the Test career. I think it is his own decision. He played very well. His performance was very good. He was a very talented player, i.e., in Test and also in the Red Ball case. I think he is in the White Ball now," Rajeev Shukla said.

"He performed very well in the Red Ball. There is not much to praise him for. I wish him good luck for his future. I wish him good luck for his future. As you know, PSC does not put any pressure on a player for retirement. It is the player's own decision. He made the decision. We are all with him. I wish him good luck," he added.

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— Sports Today (@SportsTodayofc) November 7, 2026