Top 4 Cricketers Who Made The Most Unexpected Comebacks in International Cricket

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A comeback should always be stronger than a setback and, well, a few cricketers have undoubtedly proved it right in international Cricket by making their roaring comebacks after being down and out for a while. With a billion fans all over the world, cricket is unarguably one of the most popular sports on a global level and the ever-changing dynamics of the sport often put excruciating pressure on cricketers to outplay their opponents and lead their teams to an undefeated streak of victories across all formats of international cricket.

Despite the highly competitive and highly uncertain dynamics of the game, a few international cricketers have fought the odds and undeniably succeeded in making their fierce yet most unexpected comebacks in the international cricket arena.

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In this article we will take a look at the top four most unexpected comebacks in international cricket which shocked the fans to the core.

Top 4 Cricketers Who Made The Most Unexpected Comebacks in International Cricket

• Mohammad Amir’s Comeback at the 2024 T20 World Cup

Former Pakistani cricketer, Mohammad Amir, who represented Pakistan’s national cricket team across all international cricket formats for fifteen long years from 2009 to 2024, witnessed an ugly crunch with the management before announcing his retirement from international cricket for the first time in 2020.

Despite being convicted in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal alongside Salman Butt and Mohommad Asif, Mohommad Amir was given another chance by the Pakistan team management to overturn his retirement and make a comeback at the most recent T20 World Cup in 2024.

The bowling sensation of Pakistan, 32-year-old Mohammad Amir picked up a total of seven wickets in a mere four matches at a phenomenal economy of 4.50 and made an excellent comeback. However, despite his brilliant bowling spell, Mohommad Amir announced his retirement from international cricket again in December 2024.

• Chris Gayle’s Unexpected Comeback at the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup

Often hailed as “The Universe Boss”, legendary Jamaican cricketer Chris Gayle has undoubtedly witnessed one of the most glorious yet dramatic international cricketing careers. Chris Gayle has been known for publicly criticising the policies of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), which often landed him in serious controversies with the board. The unending controversies unfortunately eventually sidelined Chris Gayle from international cricket in the early 2010s.

Despite his strained equation with the board, Chris Gayle made an absolutely unexpected comeback at the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup. While a lot of cricketing fans and critics were unsure if Chris Gayle could pick from where he left off, Gayle proved his dominance right in the opening match against England and smashed a record-breaking century off just 47 deliveries. Chris Gayle undoubtedly proved to be a cornerstone behind West Indies’ sensational victory at the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup.

• Yuvraj Singh’s Inspiring Comeback at the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup

At the third spot in our list of the top four most unexpected comebacks in the history of international cricket, we have the legendary former Indian cricketer, Yuvraj Singh, who fought against all the odds with the utmost courage and left a legacy that still resonates in the realms of international cricket.

Months after lifting the most coveted champions trophy for the 2011 Cricket World Cup edition, Yuvraj Singh’s health deteriorated, and he was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called “mediastinal seminoma”. Yuvraj Singh underwent chemotherapy in Boston and Indianapolis for a few months before making a roaring comeback at the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup.

Although, unfortunately, the Indian cricket team couldn’t reserve its victorious spot at the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup, millions of fans around the world applauded Yuvraj Singh for his unwavering courage. Additionally, Yuvraj Singh was also awarded the prestigious Arjuna award, i.e. the second-highest sporting honor in India, for his rock-ribbed comeback in cricket.

• Ben Stokes’ Incredible Comeback at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup

The current skipper of the England Test team, Ben Stokes, is at the fourth spot in our list of the top four international cricketers who made an entirely unexpected comeback and overwhelmed their fans with their undefeated innings and annihilating form. Although Ben Stokes never publicly announced his retirement, he openly announced an indefinite break from international cricket in 2021 due to his mental strain and prolonged injuries.

Ben Stokes made an unexpected comeback at the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup and delivered one of his best career innings under intense pressure. In the final match of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup against Pakistan on the extremely challenging pitch of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Ben Stokes smashed a match-winning innings of 52* runs off 49 deliveries, leading the English side to a sensational victory in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.

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