Yuzvendra Chahal calls time on red-ball cricket, but keeps India dream alive

India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Friday announced his retirement from first-class cricket, bringing an end to his red-ball career while keeping his hopes of returning to the national team in ODIs and T20Is alive.

Chahal, who never played a Test for India despite carrying the dream throughout his career, said his final First-Class appearance at Lord’s marked the end of a deeply meaningful chapter. However, the veteran spinner stressed that he is not ready to walk away from international cricket.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryRED-BALL JOURNEYChahal began his first-class career with Haryana in 2009 and finished with 148 wickets from 49 matches at an average of 32.27.

His most recent first-class stint came with Northamptonshire in the 2026 County Championship. Chahal claimed 21 wickets at 16.14 in Division Two, finishing with the second-best average among bowlers who took at least 20 wickets.

His final appearance came against Middlesex at Lord’s, where Northamptonshire suffered a seven-wicket defeat that ended their promotion hopes.

Reflecting on his decision, Chahal said the red ball had been part of his cricketing journey from a very young age.

"The first cricket ball I ever held was a red ball. I was 10 years old, and I had no idea then how deeply I would fall in love with this game," Chahal wrote in an Instagram post.

He said red-ball cricket taught him patience, character and resilience, while admitting that playing Test cricket for India had always been a dream.

"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 added. Yuzvendra Chahal has announced his retirement from first-class cricket.(Image: Instagram/@yuzi_chahal23) INDIA DREAM LIVES

While Chahal has drawn the curtains on first-class cricket, he made it clear that his international ambitions remain intact.

"But I AM NOT DONE YET," he wrote, underlining his desire to continue playing white-ball cricket and earn another opportunity with India.

"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 has represented India in 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is, taking 121 and 96 wickets respectively. His last international appearance came in a T20I against the West Indies in August 2023.

Although he has fallen out of favour with India's selectors, Chahal continues to play List A and T20 cricket. He is also the IPL's all-time leading wicket-taker and currently represents Punjab Kings.

His red-ball chapter is now over, but Chahal believes there is still more cricket left in him, with the prospect of another India call-up firmly in his sights.- Ends