Veteran India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has announced his retirement from first-class cricket, bringing an end to his red-ball career while making it clear that he intends to continue playing in white-ball formats.
Chahal, 36, said his long-standing dream of playing Test cricket was no longer within reach. Despite a 17-year career spanning domestic and county cricket, he never received an opportunity to represent India in Tests.
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The spinner made his first-class debut for Haryana in 2009 and finished his career with 148 wickets from 49 matches at an average of 32.27. His final first-class appearance came for Northamptonshire in the 2026 County Championship.
Reflecting on his decision, Chahal said the red ball had played an important role in his development as a cricketer. He recalled first holding a red cricket ball at the age of 10 and said the format taught him patience, resilience and the importance of fighting for every run and wicket.
Chahal also acknowledged the emotional significance of his final first-class match at Lord’s, where he brought down the curtain on his red-ball career. While a Test cap remained a dream throughout his career, he said he was content with the journey and grateful for the opportunities he received.
However, Chahal stressed that retirement from first-class cricket does not mean the end of his playing career.
“The hunger to play for my country is still very much alive,” Chahal said, adding that he believes he still has cricket left in him and will give everything to earn another opportunity in the ODI and T20 formats.
A member of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad, Chahal last played for the national team in a T20I against West Indies in August 2023. Although he has not been part of India’s recent international plans, he has continued to maintain a strong record in limited-overs cricket.
His final first-class season was particularly productive. Playing for Northamptonshire in Division Two of the 2026 County Championship, Chahal claimed 21 wickets at an average of 16.14. That was the second-best bowling average among players who took at least 20 wickets in the competition.
His final match ended with Northamptonshire suffering a seven-wicket defeat against Middlesex, a result that also ended the team’s promotion hopes.
Chahal’s notable domestic achievements include his 33-wicket Ranji Trophy campaign for Haryana in the 2016/17 season. He was also instrumental in Haryana’s 2023/24 Vijay Hazare Trophy title triumph, taking 18 wickets at an average of 14.83.
Alongside his domestic commitments, Chahal has represented Northamptonshire in the One-Day Cup and continues to play in the IPL, where he is the competition’s leading wicket-taker. He is currently associated with Punjab Kings.
For Chahal, the decision marks the end of one chapter, but his statement made clear that his ambitions in limited-overs cricket remain intact.
