Laxmi Ratan Shukla, the current Bengal head coach and former India all-rounder, expressed profound disappointment that Mohammed Shami’s Test career concluded without a final appearance in the national jersey. Shami announced his retirement from the longest format on Friday night, ending a 13-year international tenure that yielded 229 wickets in 64 matches, including six five-wicket hauls. Although Shami last represented India in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia, he remained a vital asset to Bengal in domestic cricket, maintaining his form through the Ranji Trophy, Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy over the past two years.
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In a heartfelt video posted on his Instagram account, Shukla acknowledged the collective desire among fans and peers for the senior fast bowler to return to the Test setup before hanging up his boots. “We all wanted you to have a comeback in the Test team and retire from there,” Shukla stated, reflecting the sentiment of many who viewed Shami as a potential late-career asset for India. The former cricketer emphasized that despite the lack of selection, Shami’s commitment to domestic excellence was undeniable, noting that the 36-year-old’s consistent practice and performance for Bengal set a high standard for senior players.
Shukla’s tribute underscores the narrative of Shami’s final chapter, where professional dedication outshone the disappointment of exclusion from the national squad. By highlighting Shami’s status as “outstanding” and “the best,” the Bengal coach framed the retirement not as a failure, but as a testament to Shami’s resilience. The phrase “God did not accept it” encapsulates the sense of fate that prevented a symbolic farewell in the blue jersey, yet it simultaneously reinforces the respect Shami commands within the Indian cricketing fraternity for his unwavering work ethic and legacy of 229 international wickets.
Source: Yahoo Sports
