Yuzvendra Chahal announces retirement from first-class cricket

Indian veteran leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has announced his retirement from first-class cricket, ending his red-ball career after 49 matches and 148 wickets. His first-class retirement announcement came on Friday through an emotional Instagram post, where the veteran leg-spinner reflected on his 17-year journey, his love for red-ball cricket and his long-standing dream of playing Test cricket for India.

Chahal's retirement Instagram post also made it clear that this is not the end of his cricket career. Chahal wants to continue playing white-ball cricket and hopes to earn another opportunity for India in ODIs and T20Is. His white-ball future will now be the focus after his decision to step away from first-class cricket.

Yuzvendra Chahal retires from first-class cricket after 49 matches and 148 wickets — End of a red-ball era

Chahal's first-class cricket retirement closes a red-ball career that began with Haryana in 2009. He played 49 first-class matches and finished with 148 wickets at an average of 32.27, including six five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/44.

His standout Ranji Trophy season came in 2016/17, when he claimed 33 wickets in seven matches. His final first-class stint came with Northamptonshire in the 2026 County Championship, where he picked up 21 wickets at an average of 16.14. The Chahal Lord's last first-class match came against Middlesex.

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Chahal never got the opportunity to play Test cricket for India, despite carrying that dream throughout his career. Explaining what red-ball cricket meant to him, Chahal wrote in his Instagram post, “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. For me, red-ball cricket was never just another format. 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. The red ball gave me some of the most beautiful memories of my life, and nothing will ever take that away." The statement captures the emotional side of the Chahal retires red ball cricket announcement and brings his first-class journey to a close.

"I Am Not Done Yet" — What Yuzvendra Chahal said after announcing his first-class cricket retirement

The biggest message from the Yuzvendra Chahal retirement announcement is that he is not retiring from all forms of cricket. Chahal clearly stated that he still wants to play limited-overs cricket and represent India again.

“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.

“A special thank you to the Haryana Cricket Association, Mr. Ranbir Singh Mahindra Sir, and Mr. Anirudh Singh Chaudhary Sir for their continuous support, trust and belief throughout my journey. 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,” added Chahal.

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Chahal, but not done yet. The message has become a key part of his retirement announcement. The Chahal not done yet retirement 2026 story is therefore about his decision to leave first-class cricket while continuing his white-ball career.

His last game for India in a T20I against the West Indies in August 2023. He was also part of India's 2024 Men's T20 World Cup winning squad and continues to feature in domestic and franchise white-ball cricket.

49 first-class matches, 148 wickets and 217 international scalps — Yuzvendra Chahal's glittering career by numbers

Yuzvendra Chahal's career stats highlight his contribution across different formats. In first-class cricket, Chahal played 49 matches and claimed 148 wickets at an average of 32.27. He recorded six five-wicket hauls and produced the best figures of 6/44.

For India, Chahal played 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is, making 152 appearances across the two formats. He claimed 217 wickets for India in ODIs and T20Is, including three five-wicket hauls.

Chahal's career first-class cricket chapter now ends with 148 wickets, while his white-ball record remains an important part of his career. His 148 wickets in first-class cricket and 217 wickets in the India record show his impact across both red-ball and international white-ball cricket.

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He also played a major role in Haryana's 2023/24 Vijay Hazare Trophy title-winning campaign, taking 18 wickets at an average of 14.83. And also he established himself as the IPL's leading wicket-taker.