Mohammed Shami deserved another Test chance, says disappointed Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri believes Mohammed Shami had more to offer in Test cricket and is disappointed that the fast bowler did not get another opportunity before announcing his retirement. The former India head coach questioned the repeated focus on Shami’s fitness, pointing to his workload and performances for Bengal as evidence that he could still contribute at the highest level.

Shami announced his retirement from Tests on November 6, exactly 13 years after making his debut. He leaves the format with 229 wickets from 64 matches, but his final appearance for India came more than three years ago, in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.

Speaking on Extra Innings ahead of India's second ODI against New Zealand, Shastri said he had expected Shami to add another 30-40 wickets to his Test tally.

"It's sad when someone who's played so well for the country has to go. I definitely thought he had another 30 or 40 wickets in him. He should have played in the last 12 months and perhaps should have been in the side as a Test-match bowler," Shastri said.

Shami's India career was interrupted by a series of injuries after the 2023 ODI World Cup. He underwent ankle surgery in February 2024 and subsequently dealt with knee issues, missing India's five-Test tour of Australia. He returned to international cricket in January 2025, featuring in the T20I and ODI series against England before playing all five matches of the Champions Trophy.

However, a setback ahead of the England Test tour in 2025 ruled him out of contention. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Shami's workload was not where it needed to be and that medical staff had advised against picking him for a demanding five-Test series.

Shastri, meanwhile, questioned the emphasis on gym-based fitness when a fast bowler was demonstrating his ability to handle match workloads.

"What's the point of being fit in the gym if you can't bowl 10 or 12 overs in a match? Here, you've got a workhorse who's bowling for you. So, I'm a little disappointed that he didn't get another go," he said.

The questions continued when Shami was left out of the West Indies Test squad later that year. Agarkar said he did not have a clear update on the pacer's fitness and felt he had not played enough competitive cricket. Shami responded by insisting that if he was fit enough to play four-day cricket for Bengal, he could also play 50-over cricket.SHAMI'S DOMESTIC NUMBERS MAKE A CASE

Shami has continued to turn out for Bengal despite being away from the national set-up. He took seven wickets in three matches for East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy, helping the side win the title. He then made a strong start to the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season, claiming 14 wickets in his first three matches at an average of 14.00. His returns included a match haul of 5/59 against Delhi and 4/37 against Maharashtra.

Shastri pointed to those performances while defending the pacer's fitness.

"I've heard all these press reports about his fitness not being good, but he was playing every game for Bengal. He was bowling 15-20 overs. What more do you want a player to do to prove his fitness?" he said.

The former coach also argued that bowlers needed to maintain their rhythm through regular match overs, citing Richard Hadlee and Wasim Akram as examples of fast bowlers who valued bowling and playing regularly.CAN SHAMI STILL RETURN IN WHITE-BALL CRICKET?

Shami's Test retirement does not bring his international career to an end. He has made it clear that he intends to continue playing white-ball cricket, leaving the door open for a possible return ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

His last appearance for India in any format came in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. He was India's joint-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, alongside Varun Chakravarthy, with nine wickets in five matches.

Shastri believes Shami should keep himself ready rather than consider his India career over. He pointed out that injuries are inevitable in a packed international calendar and an experienced bowler could become important if one of India's first-choice pacers is unavailable.

"If he's in good form and has a good IPL, and one of your senior bowlers suddenly breaks down, you'll be looking for experience. But you've got a player like him there," Shastri said.

For now, Shami's focus remains on Bengal and franchise cricket. Shastri feels there is still enough left in the fast bowler to make an impact, and believes he deserved another opportunity in the longest format before bringing that chapter to a close.- Ends