Red-Ball legend Shami bids farewell to Test cricket

The announcement ended a memorable red-ball career for the bowler. Shami captured two hundred twenty-nine wickets in sixty-four Test matches. This achievement makes him India’s sixth most successful fast bowler.

Kapil Dev leads that elite list with four hundred thirty-four wickets. Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma both claimed three hundred eleven dismissals. Javagal Srinath and Jasprit Bumrah secured two hundred thirty-six and two hundred thirty-four wickets respectively.

The board thanked the fast bowler on social media platforms. Former Indian cricketers joined the nation in praising his red-ball achievements. Ravi Shastri served as head coach during Shami’s peak playing years.

Shastri believes the pacer remained instrumental to India’s overseas success. The former coach praised his exceptional seam positioning abilities worldwide. Only James Anderson matched Shami’s mastery with the seam.

Shastri expressed sadness over the sudden retirement decision from international cricket. He felt Shami possessed another thirty to forty wickets. The former coach suggested Shami should have played in recent series.

Irfan Pathan praised the bowler’s ability to generate late movement. The former all-rounder congratulated Shami on a wonderful red-ball journey. Munaf Patel wished the experienced fast bowler well for the future.

Munaf acknowledged that fans will miss seeing him in whites. Manoj Tiwary described his Bengal teammate as a true warrior. Tiwary expressed pride in sharing the field with the legend.

The red ball may leave his hands very soon now. However, memories of his thunderbolts will endure among cricket lovers everywhere.