Chahal retires from first-class cricket, hunger for ODIs and T20Is 'very much alive'
Yuzvendra Chahal retires from first-class cricket after taking 21 wickets at 16.14 in his final county season for Northamptonshire • David Rogers/Getty Images
India legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal has retired from first-class cricket, conceding that a Test cap, which was "always a dream", was no longer possible, but he still hopes to mount a comeback in ODIs and T20Is. Chahal never got to play Test cricket for India but has turned out in 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is. His last appearance was a T20I in August 2023.
"For me, red-ball cricket was never just another format," Chahal said in an Instagram post. "It was where I learned the meaning of patience, character, resilience and the pure joy of being out there for hours, fighting for every run and every wicket.
"I played my last First-Class match at Lord's, saying these words is emotional as a Test cap was always a dream, one that I carried with me for many years. It may not have happened, but I am genuinely content with the journey I have had and incredibly grateful for every opportunity that came my way in this format."
He went on to add that he was "NOT DONE YET".
"The hunger to play for my country is still very much alive. I believe I have the cricket left in me, and I will give everything I have to earn another opportunity in the One-Day and T20 formats."
Chahal began his first-class career for Haryana in 2009 and finishes it with 148 wickets at an average of 32.27 in 49 games. His most recent first-class cricket came for Northamptonshire, for whom he took 21 wickets at 16.14 - the second-best of any bowler with at least 20 wickers - in Division Two of the 2026 County Championship. His last first-class game came against Middlesex, who beat Northamptonshire by seven wickets to end their promotion hopes.
Chahal has fallen out of favour with India's selectors but continues to play List A and T20 matches. He is the highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL, where he currently plays for Punjab Kings.
Chahal was never a regular for Haryana in red-ball cricket. The last time he played more than two matches in a Ranji Trophy season was in 2016-17, when he picked up 33 wickers in seven games at 22.60. While he has continued to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s over recent seasons, his last appearance in the Vijay Hazare (50-overs) Trophy came in 2023-24, when he picked up 18 wickets at 14.83 to help Haryana lift the title. He has, however, stayed active in 50-overs cricket since, playing for Northamptonshire in the last three seasons of the One-Day Cup.
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