Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has commended Mohammed Shami’s significant contribution to Indian cricket following the pacer’s retirement from Test cricket. Shami announced his retirement from the longest format on Friday night after playing 67 Test matches and taking 229 wickets.
Speaking to ANI, Madan Lal described Shami’s career as excellent and highlighted his key role in several of India’s victories. He suggested that Shami may have decided to retire after waiting some months for a recall to the national side which did not materialise.
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“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,” Madan Lal said.
The former cricketer also referred to Shami’s performances in the Ranji Trophy, noting the pacer continued taking wickets and was presumably hoping for another opportunity with the Indian Test team. Madan Lal expressed that Shami should have been considered for selection over the past year, adding that the team management could have retained him if his form had remained strong.
He said, “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.”
The 36-year-old announced his retirement via an Instagram post, concluding his Test career. Shami was renowned for his ability to generate seam movement and swing with both the new and old ball, finishing with 229 wickets in 67 Tests, including six five-wicket hauls.
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