India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has hit back strongly at reports suggesting he may be nearing retirement, calling one particular story “today’s worst” and accusing its author of damaging careers with baseless speculation.
The 34-year-old pacer, who has been absent from Test cricket since the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia in 2023 due to injury, found himself at the center of controversy after multiple media outlets speculated that his return to India’s Test squad for the upcoming England tour might hinge on his fitness and capacity to handle long bowling spells.
The speculation didn’t stop there—some reports even went so far as to suggest that Shami could follow senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into Test retirement. These rumors came amid a transitional period for India’s red-ball setup, with several senior players stepping away from the longest format. Most recently, Ravichandran Ashwin also announced his retirement from international cricket following India’s last tour of Australia.
But Shami, currently active and delivering for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 and recently part of India’s Champions Trophy-winning campaign, had seen enough.
Taking to Instagram, Shami posted a screenshot of the article from Oneindia that sparked the furore and wrote:
“Very well done. Also, start counting the days left to say ‘adieu’ to your job, then see ours later. People like you have ruined our future. Try saying nice things sometimes, too. Today’s worst story, sorry.”
Shami’s comeback journey and ongoing form
Shami has battled back from a long injury layoff that sidelined him after India’s ODI World Cup run in 2023. He made a low-key return in the domestic circuit, playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and picking up seven wickets in a match against Madhya Pradesh. Despite rumors of a potential comeback during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he remained out of action.
Nevertheless, 2025 has seen a resurgence for Shami, who took the new ball for India in white-ball formats during the Champions Trophy and has looked sharp for SRH in the 18th edition of the IPL. With 64 Test caps and 229 wickets at an average of 27.1—including six five-wicket hauls—Shami remains one of India’s most experienced and reliable seamers.
Speculation versus substance
The reports that provoked Shami’s ire suggested that selectors might be hesitant to include him in the England series unless he proves he can endure long spells in the demanding English conditions. The five-Test tour, set to begin June 20, will require a seasoned pace battery—especially with the likes of Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin having exited the format.
But with Shami now speaking out publicly, it’s clear he has no intention of quietly bowing out—or accepting rumors about his future without a fight.
