Scintillating Shami: Revisiting his best Test performances
Mohammed Shami played 64 Tests for India, bagging 229 wickets in the process in a career that spanned over a decade.
By Kaushal Shukla
Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from international cricket on November 6, Friday but not before carving a place for himself as one of India's fast-bowling greats.
With an immaculate upright seam and an uncanny knack for extracting life out of any surface, Mohammed Shami carved out an indelible legacy as one of India's most lethal red-ball fast bowlers.
Finishing his Test career with 229 wickets across 64 matches, Shami stood as a central figure in a golden era of Indian pace bowling that conquered conditions across the globe.
Here is a look back at five of Shami's finest, most memorable showings with the ball in the Test arena.
1. 6/56 v Australia, Perth Stadium, 2018
On a fast, bouncy Perth track during India's historic 2018–19 tour Down Under, Shami put on a fusion of high-pace and unrelenting hostility.
With Australia looking to set India a daunting target in their second innings, Shami systematically tore through the hosts' batting lineup.
Operating with a high-seam position and getting the ball to nip sharply off the surface, he snared career-best figures of 6/56 in 24 overs. His effort kept Australia within reach and delivered one of the most blistering spells of fast bowling by an Indian pacer on Australian soil.
2. 5/28 v South Africa, Johannesburg, 2018
On a treacherous Johannesburg pitch in January 2018, India were defending 241 in the third Test of the series. South Africa looked on track to chase down the target before Shami took full command of the contest on Day 4.
Bowling with pinpoint accuracy and extracting sharp movement, Shami ran through the South African lower-middle order, taking 5/28. His spell yielded India a famous 63-run victory on a challenging pitch, sealing a memorable overseas win.
3. 9/118 v West Indies, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 2013
After being handed his Test cap at Eden Gardens in November 2013, a 23-year-old Shami announced his arrival on the global stage with one of the greatest debut bowling displays by an Indian fast bowler.
Extracting pronounced reverse swing on a dry Kolkata pitch, Shami claimed 4/71 in the first innings before returning in the second to pick up 5/47. His match haul of 9/118 set up an innings victory for India and broke the record for the best match figures by an Indian fast bowler on Test debut.
4. 5/44 v South Africa, Centurion, 2021
In the 2021 Boxing Day Test in Centurion, Shami spearheaded India's attack with a devastating first-innings spell.
Leading the pacers on a pitch offering assistance, Shami tore through South Africa's middle order and tail, taking 5/44 off 16 overs to bowl the hosts out for 197 and secure a vital first-innings lead. He also reached the landmark of 200 Test wickets during this match. Shami added three more scalps in the second innings to finish with match figures of 8/107, propelling India to a 113-run victory.
5. 5/35 v South Africa, Visakhapatnam, 2019
Setting South Africa a target of 395 runs on the final day, India needed early breakthroughs on a wearing Vizag pitch. While spin was expected to dominate, Shami stole the spotlight on Day 5, pairing late-tailing reverse swing with relentless seam movement to target the stumps directly.
Bowling with furious pace and a skidding length, he clean bowled key batters, including Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock. His 5/35 in the second innings helped bowl South Africa out for 191, sealing a 203-run win for India.
