'One of the best bowlers India has had' - Madan Lal hails Mohammed Shami as he retires from Test cricket

The 36-year-old pacer Mohammed Shami's decision to step away from the longest format came after an extended period without selection, despite his continued performances in domestic cricket.

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal responded on Saturday with appreciation for Shami's service to the national team, acknowledging the bowler's significant role in securing victories across multiple occasions. Lal recognised that Shami had built an excellent Test career and deserved to have continued playing for at least another year. Lal said that Shami had been waiting for two or three months hoping for a Test recall, but the selection did not materialise.

"Absolutely, it has been a very good career because, look, if a pacer has played 67 Test matches and taken 229 wickets, it shows that his career has been excellent, and he has also won matches for India on several occasions. So, look, what was happening that he had been waiting for two or three months, thinking maybe they would pick him for the Test matches, but they hadn't picked him yet. So, I think he must have thought that it's high time to say goodbye," Lal said.

Shami's performances in the Ranji Trophy demonstrated his continued ability to take wickets at the highest level of Indian domestic cricket. Despite these strong showings, the pacer remained without a Test recall, which appeared to influence his decision to step away from international cricket in the longest format. His final Test appearance came in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.

Lal acknowledged that Shami had been performing well in domestic cricket and was hoping for one more opportunity in the Indian Test team. The former cricketer believed that the team management should have considered Shami for selection over the past year and could have continued with him had his performances remained good.

"He was performing well in the Ranji Trophy as well. He was taking wickets, so he was thinking maybe he would get one more chance, but he hasn't gotten it yet. However, for the past year, I understand he should have been playing. Later on, if his performance was good, they should have continued with him, but now that he has retired, nothing can be said because it is his own decision, but definitely, he is one of the best bowlers India has had," Lal added.