“For me, red-ball cricket was never just another format,” Chahal said in an Instagram post. “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.”
He went on to add that he was “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 was never a regular for Haryana in red-ball cricket. The last time he played more than two matches in a Ranji Trophy season was in 2016-17, when he picked up 33 wickers in seven games at 22.60. While he has continued to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s over recent seasons, his last appearance in the Vijay Hazare (50-overs) Trophy came in 2023-24, when he picked up 18 wickets at 14.83 to help Haryana lift the title. He has, however, stayed active in 50-overs cricket since, playing for Northamptonshire in the last three seasons of the One-Day Cup.