Overview
- Chahal announced his retirement from first-class (red-ball) cricket on Friday, October 2, 2026, in an Instagram post that made clear he will continue to play limited-overs cricket.
- He ends a 49-match red-ball career with 148 wickets and six five-wicket hauls, closing the chapter after his final County Championship match for Northamptonshire at Lord's that concluded on September 26, 2026.
- A strong 2026 county season helped frame the move: Chahal took 21 wickets at an average of 16.14 in Division Two for Northamptonshire.
- He said a Test cap was a long-held dream that did not materialize but expressed gratitude to the Haryana Cricket Association and supporters and said he remains 'not done yet' in limited-overs cricket.
- Chahal is out of favour with India’s selectors since his last international in August 2023 but enters the coming season as the IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker and plans to use List A, T20 and franchise form to press for an ODI and T20 recall.