'Warrior at heart' - Manoj Tiwary pays heartfelt tribute to Mohammed Shami after Test retirement
Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on November 6, 2026, drawing the curtain on a 13-year journey in the longest format that began at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on November 6, 2013, when he made his debut against the West Indies. Across 64 Tests, Shami claimed 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, finishing as the sixth-most successful fast bowler in India's Test history.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the cricket world. Among the most personal came from former India batter and Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary, who took to X to share what it meant to him to have Shami in his bowling attack during their time together representing Bengal.
Tiwary's tribute went beyond their shared Bengal dressing room. The former India batter acknowledged Shami's standing among cricket lovers and the enduring impression the pacer left on the game. His words captured the sentiment felt widely across Indian cricket as news of the retirement spread.
"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," wrote Tiwary.
"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."
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) November 7, 2026
This what it meant to me When I was leading the bengal team and having Shami in the… pic.twitter.com/yUu7hcxTlL
Shami himself reflected on the decision with evident emotion.
"Test cricket is not just a format for me, it is a very special part of my life. Today I am deciding to retire from Test cricket with a heavy heart and unlimited beautiful memories. I am leaving the white jersey, but never the memories connected to it. When I first wore India's Test jersey, I had only a dream — to do something for my country. After that every wicket, every struggle, every injury and every comeback taught me something," Shami said in his retirement statement.
Shami's Test career spanned a period when he became one of India's most reliable pace weapons in all conditions. He registered six five-wicket hauls during his Test career and averaged under 25 against West Indies, underlining his dominance against certain opponents across different phases of his career.
What were Shami's standout Test performances and what comes next?
Among Shami's most celebrated outings in the longest format was his 5/28 in the second innings of the Johannesburg Test during India's 2018 tour of South Africa. He was also instrumental in the series-opening Test at Centurion on a subsequent visit, where he picked up 8 wickets in the match. In 35 Tests against South Africa alone, Shami took 131 wickets, a record that underlines his effectiveness in seaming conditions away from home.
His final Test appearance came in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia. After that, a series of injuries kept him sidelined for an extended period, and his last appearance in any international fixture was the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. Despite stepping away from the red-ball game, Shami confirmed he intends to continue playing white-ball cricket, including domestic matches and the IPL.
The retirement marks the end of a significant chapter for Indian pace bowling. Shami's 229 Test wickets, six five-fors, and consistent performances across 64 matches over 13 years cement his place among the finest fast bowlers the country has produced.
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