Bengal coach expresses disappointment over Mohammed Shami's Test retirement
Laxmi Ratan Shukla said he hoped the fast bowler would return to the national side before ending his red-ball career.
Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said on Friday that he hoped Mohammed Shami would return to the Indian Test team before retiring from the format. According to the Times of India, Shukla expressed disappointment that the 36-year-old pacer could not complete his Test career while playing for India.
Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday night. His 13-year career included 64 matches and 229 wickets, featuring six five-wicket hauls. His final Test appearance for India was during the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
In a video shared on Instagram, Shukla praised Shami's dedication to domestic cricket, noting he had rarely seen a fast bowler work as hard for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali, and Vijay Hazare trophies after achieving international success.
Shukla also recalled Shami's early career, noting that the bowler moved from the state's Under-23 team directly into the Ranji Trophy while Shukla was the team captain.
While retiring from the longest format, Shami will continue playing white-ball cricket. He has been included in Bengal's 19-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which starts on November 14 in Mumbai.