Mohammed Shami’s retirement from Test cricket has brought an end to an outstanding chapter in Indian cricket. The experienced fast bowler announced his decision after spending an extended period away from the national Test setup. Following the announcement, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel shared his memories of working with Shami and revealed how the veteran pacer helped him settle into the Indian dressing room.

Shami remains one of India’s finest red-ball bowlers, particularly renowned for his ability to generate reverse swing and maintain an exceptional seam position. Even after his absence from the national team, he has continued to demonstrate his skills in domestic cricket, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and East Zone in the Duleep Trophy.

Speaking on Sony Sports Network during the second ODI between India and New Zealand, Morne Morkel admitted that Shami played an important role in helping him understand the team’s environment when he first joined the Indian setup. The South African coach also expressed sadness over the fast bowler’s decision to retire from the longest format.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Cricket Association Introduces AI-Powered Technology to Transform Players’ Practice Sessions

“Yeah, I was quite fortunate when I first started with the group for Shami to be a part of the team. You know, highly skillful player, a quality guy to have around in the group. And I was quite lucky when I joined for him to bring sort of the Indian language into the dressing room. He helped me quite a lot. So a sad day to see him go,” Morne Morkel said.

Shami made his Test debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in 2013. He went on to establish himself as a key member of India’s bowling attack, finishing his career with 229 wickets in 64 Test matches. Across international cricket, he claimed 462 wickets for the national team.

Although Mohammed Shami has retired from Test cricket, he remains available for white-ball cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has also been included in Bengal’s squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, keeping himself involved in competitive cricket.

One of the biggest highlights of his career came during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Initially left out of India’s playing XI, Shami made his way into the team and became the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, collecting 24 wickets in just seven matches at an exceptional average of 10.70. India eventually finished as runners-up.

ALSO READ: Court Rejects Plea Seeking FIR Against BCCI President Mithun Manhas Over Date-of-Birth Allegations

Morne Morkel also expressed satisfaction at seeing Shami continue to bowl long spells in domestic cricket, suggesting that the pacer remains committed to maintaining his fitness and rhythm. “I mean, he’s still bowling a lot of overs back home and it’s still great to see,” Morkel added. Despite the challenges of age and injuries, Shami’s continued involvement in domestic cricket highlights his commitment to the game.