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India's veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has officially announced retirement from First-Class cricket via an emotional Instagram post. His final appearance in red-ball cricket came at none other than the 'Halls of Lord's', a symbolic stage for a bowler whose career was defined by relentless fight, chess-like tactical acumen, and a deep-seated love for the traditional game. Though he hung up his red-ball boots after an impactful county stint with Northamptonshire, Chahal made one thing crystal clear that he is far from finished in white-ball cricket.
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I am not done yet: Yuzvendra Chahal retires from First-Class cricket
Taking to Instagram to share his decision, Chahal penned a heartfelt note reflecting on his journey with the red ball—a journey that began when he was just a ten-year-old boy dreaming of making it big.
"The first cricket ball I ever held was a red ball. I was 10 years old..." Chahal reflected on Instagram.
"For me, red-ball cricket was never just another format. It was where I learned the meaning of patience, character, and resilience."
Speaking on playing his final red-ball match for Northamptonshire against Middlesex at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Chahal penned an emotional sentiment that resonated deeply with fans:
"Playing my final first-class match at Lord’s was an emotional moment, as receiving an India Test cap had always been a dream. Although that ambition did not materialize, I am content with my journey and grateful for the opportunities I received... But I AM 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. From a 10-year-old holding his first red ball to playing his final First-Class game, it has been one hell of a journey," his post concluded.
The declaration proves his determination to keep pushing for white-ball selection in the national setup.
Chahal's First-Class highlights
While Chahal rose to global fame through the high-octane world of limited-overs cricket, his foundations were built on the long, grueling days of domestic red-ball grind. Making his first-class debut for Haryana in November 2009 against Madhya Pradesh, a young, slender Chahal demonstrated immediate potential with his ability to drop the ball on a sixpence and generate natural drift. Over a first-class career spanning 49 matches, Chahal snared 148 wickets at an average of 32.27, including six five-wicket hauls. His peak domestic season came during Haryana’s 2016/17 Ranji Trophy campaign, where he emerged as their primary weapon, scalping 33 wickets in just seven fixtures. Even toward the twilight of his red-ball career, his prowess remained lethal. During his late stint with Northamptonshire in Division Two of the County Championship, Chahal turned heads by ripping through opposition lineups. In his final season, he bagged 21 wickets in four matches at a stunning average of 16.14, proving that his leg-spin wizardry could conquer even English conditions.
| Yuzvendra Chahal's - | First-Class record |
| Matches Played | 49 |
| Wickets Taken | 148 |
| Bowling Average | 32.27 |
| Five-Wicket Hauls (5w) | 6 |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 6/44 |
| Teams Represented | Haryana, Northamptonshire |
The White-Ball Wizard
Chahal earned his international cap in June 2016 during an ODI against Zimbabwe in Harare. It did not take long for the wrist-spinner to establish himself as India's premier middle-overs enforcer. Alongside chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, Chahal formed the legendary 'Kul-Cha' partnership that revolutionized India's white-ball bowling strategy between 2017 and 2019. Breaking away from traditional finger-spin options, the duo destroyed opposition batting lineups across the globe with pure wrist-spin trickery.
Chahal’s International Record
T20 Internationals (T20Is): 80 matches, 96 wickets (Best: 6/25 vs England)
One-Day Internationals (ODIs): 72 matches, 121 wickets (Best: 6/42 vs Australia)
His iconic 6 for 25 against England in Bengaluru in 2017 made him the first Indian bowler to pick up a six-wicket haul in T20Is. A year later, his 6 for 42 against Australia at the MCG remains one of the finest ODI spell displays on Australian soil by an Indian spinner.
The Puzzle of the continuous team snub
Despite his individual match-winning abilities, Chahal’s international career was frequently marred by puzzling tactical exclusions.Despite being India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is for years, Chahal was infamously excluded from India’s 2021 T20 World Cup squad in the UAE, a decision that baffled experts and fans alike. While he was selected for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, he sat on the bench for the entire tournament without playing a single game. Similarly, he missed out on the 2023 ODI World Cup squad on home soil. Even when included in winning squads, such as India's victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, Chahal did not get game time in the starting XI. Yet through every selection heart-break, Chahal maintained exemplary professionalism, publicly supporting his teammates and working harder on his craft.
IPL Royalty
The King ofSpinIf international cricket offered Chahal a mix of glory and heartbreak, the Indian Premier League (IPL) gave him undisputed royalty status. Starting his journey with the Mumbai Indians, his career exploded when he joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2014. On the notoriously small boundaries of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Chahal excelled where other spinners struggled—inviting batters to hit over the long boundaries while out-smarting them in flight and dip.Later moving to the Rajasthan Royals, Chahal continued his dominance, winning the Purple Cap in 2022 with 27 wickets.
Highest Wicket-Taker in IPL History: With 233 IPL wickets, standing comfortably at the top of the all-time charts.
Purple Cap Winner (2022): 27 wickets in a single season.
Hat-trick Hero: Took a memorable hat-trick and a 5-wicket haul against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2022.
Closing the red-ball chapter at Lord’s—the birthplace of cricket—brings a poetic closure to Chahal’s long-form aspirations. While the dream of donning the iconic India Test cap remained unfulfilled, his red-ball journey stood as a testament to his grit and craftsmanship. As Chahal turns his full attention to white-ball cricket, his sights remain firmly set on wearing the Blue jersey once again. With the IPL and domestic white-ball tournaments ahead, the cunning chess grandmaster of Indian cricket is ready to flip the page and write new chapters in his legacy until he fully run out of steam.
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