India leg-spinner spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Friday (October 2) announced his retirement from first-class cricket.
While Chahal never fulfilled his dream of earning a Test cap for India, he expressed complete peace with his journey. His first-class career concluded at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground while playing for Northamptonshire against Middlesex in the English County Championship last week.
“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,” Chahal wrote in an Instagram post.
“I played my last First-Class match at Lords, 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,” he added.
While closing the door on the longest format, Chahal explicitly stated that he is focused entirely on making a comeback in white-ball cricket (ODIs and T20Is) for the national team.
“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.”
Chahal gave special recognition to his domestic roots, thanking officials from the Haryana Cricket Association for their lifelong backing.
“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,” he concluded.
Yuzvendra Chahal featured in a total of 49 first-class matches, claiming 148 wickets at an average of 32.27, including 6 five-wicket hauls.
