Morne Morkel Honors Mohammed Shami's Test Cricket Legacy

Morne Morkel Pays Tribute to Mohammed Shami

Morne Morkel, the former South African fast bowler and current bowling coach for India, has expressed his admiration for Mohammed Shami following the latter's retirement from Test cricket. Morkel reminisced about how Shami assisted him in acclimating to the team's environment upon his arrival.

Joining the coaching staff under head coach Gautam Gambhir in 2024, Morkel acknowledged Shami's role in helping him navigate the team's culture and bridge the language gap. Although they did not collaborate in the Test arena, they shared a brief experience during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which marked Shami's last outing for India.

Reflecting on Shami's Impact

"I was fortunate to have Shami in the team when I first joined. He played a significant role in introducing the Indian language into the dressing room, which was incredibly helpful for me. It's a sad day to see him retire," Morkel remarked.

Shami's retirement announcement on Instagram marks the conclusion of a remarkable career, during which he emerged as one of India's most reliable fast bowlers in various conditions and high-stakes matches.

A Career of Excellence

Shami, known for his exceptional seam movement and swing with both new and old balls, concludes his Test career with an impressive tally of 229 wickets from 64 matches, including six five-wicket hauls. Since his Test debut against the West Indies in 2013, he has become a cornerstone of India's pace attack.

His prowess in challenging overseas conditions is particularly notable, with 145 wickets taken in 41 away Tests at an average of 30.33. Shami's final Test match was during the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia. Despite facing injuries at various points in his career, he consistently contributed to India's bowling success across formats.