Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is set to return to County Cricket after the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). Chahal will rejoin Northamptonshire for the second time, playing in the County Championship and One-Day Cup. The English club confirmed his signing on Thursday, March 13. Chahal, who will represent Punjab Kings in IPL 2025, will be available for Northamptonshire from June 22. His first match will be a County Championship Division Two fixture against Middlesex. The 33-year-old spinner will miss the first seven matches of the season, which begins on April 4, as he focuses on IPL commitments. Chahal previously played for Northants in 2024 and had a stellar season. He picked up 19 wickets in just four County Championship matches and delivered a remarkable five-wicket haul in a List A game against Kent. His best red-ball performance came against Derbyshire, where he took 9 for 99 in a single innings. Read also: RCB’s Bowling Boost: Josh Hazlewood Declared Fit for IPL 2025 Chahal excited to return to Northants Speaking about his return, Chahal expressed his happiness about rejoining the club. Chahal said, "I thoroughly enjoyed my time here last season, so I’m very happy to be coming back. There are some great people in that dressing room, and I can’t wait to be part of that again. We played some great cricket towards the back end of the season so hopefully we’re able to replicate that and big up some victories." Former Australian cricketer and Northamptonshire head coach Darren Lehmann welcomed Chahal’s return. Lehmann said, "I am really excited that one of best leg spinners in the world is returning to Northamptonshire this season. He brings invaluable experience and he's an absolute gentleman who loves the game. Having him available from mid-June until the end of the season will be fantastic for us." Chahal, who was recently seen cheering for India during the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, will first play a key role for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. The franchise bought him for a record ₹18 crore, making him the most expensive spinner in the league’s history.