With chromyl chloride in carbon tetrachloride solvent

Can converted methyl group to aldehyde as methyl benzene or toluene

Isn't that Etard reaction, Mohamed?

Dear Sunil Bansal IBX can oxidize to aldehyde methyl group attached to an aromatic ring, see JACS 2001, 123, 3183.

Alternatively I could think of two step approaches CH3 -> CH2OH -> CHO or CH3 -> CO2H -> CHO, there would be more alternatives.

Typically toluene is converted to dichloromethylbenzene followed by hydrolysis to the aldehyde. However, be aware of the possible reaction of Cannizzaro.

you can convert the toluene to benzaldehyde by reacting with hydrogen peroxide/KMnO4 at 80 °C.