Yuzvendra Chahal, the leg‑spin maestro, has called time on his first‑class career, announcing his retirement via Instagram on Friday.
The 35‑year‑old finished with 148 wickets from 49 first‑class matches at an average of 32.27, after a 17‑year stretch that began with a debut for Haryana in 2009. 72 ODIs and 80 T20Is punctuated a career that never saw a Test cap, a dream that lingered for years.
His final outing came at Lord’s, a fitting backdrop for a bowler who had long yearned for a Test appearance. He said the red ball taught him patience, resilience and a pure joy that kept him on the field for hours. The moment was bittersweet, with the iconic ground echoing his journey from a 10‑year‑old holding a red ball to a seasoned spinner.
Chahal made it clear he is not stepping away from the international arena; he declared he remains hungry for ODIs and T20Is and will keep fighting for another opportunity. The bowler thanked the Haryana Cricket Association and its former officials for their unwavering support throughout his career.
Looking ahead, Chahal intends to stay in the mix for India’s limited‑overs squads, keeping his ambition alive and aiming for a place in forthcoming ODI and T20I fixtures.