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Which cricketer made the greatest comeback in Test history?

Harsh Thakor

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Cricketers who made the greatest comebacks in test history

1.Ian Botham
2.Imran Khan
3.Dennis Lillee

Ian Botham ressurected England from the grave to reach the pinnacle of glory in the 1981 Ashes after relinquishing the captaincy in the 3rd test at Leeds.It was a sight to behold watching Botham as though a new spirit was posessing him .In 2 tests from the brink of certain defeat he enabled England to come out of the woods to gain famous wins.In every department of the game Botham was a revelation exuding energy on the field as few sportsmen ever did.


Imran Khan returned to cricket recovering from a shin fracture in 1985.After 3 years he returned to his best producing prodigious swing in England in 1987 and in West Indies in 1988 as he ever did in his career .Above all his contribution as player and skipper elevated Pakistan to morally become the unofficial world test champions in 1988 and win the world cup in 1992.Few cricketers ever did so much to instill such a spirit shape the destiny of a nation as Imran who knit a talented bunch of individuals to become world beaters.


Dennis Lille came back after a stress fracture in 1974 reminiscent of Muhammad Ali.Lille was an epitome of agression and hostility and determination personified.At a marginally slower speed Lillee was more lethal posessing every ingredient of the perfect fast bowler.Lillee looked like a new man born in the 1974-75 home Ashes.
 
You have not considered Imran's return after remodelling his action completely as a great comeback?
 
Herath. He was lost while Murali was playing for SL but now he's one of the best spinners in the world
 
Sachin was written off by 2006 and all that tennis elbow/Chappell saga took a huge toll on his batsmanship, physical/mental state, reputation etc. Then roared back in 2007 and in the 2007-10 period he was phenomenal, both home and away and helped us become number 1 test side. He even topped the ICC charts 17 years after his first stint as #1 test batsman in the world, a time span longer than most international careers.
 
One and only Steve Smith.Mark my words he will make another comeback culminating in another WC for Aussies.
 
When i look back at Imran it appears surreal what he achieved through strong will and determination. No doubt for me it has to be Imran’s comeback. Mind you he had retired after England tour but made one more comeback to win us the WC.
 
Matt Hayden deserves a mention. After a poor start to his career in 1994, he made a comeback to the team on tough tour to India in 2001 and ended his career as one of the best Test openers in the history of the game. He was phenomenal in all 3 formats for Australia (Tests - 50.23, ODI- 43.80, T20-51.33). That surely is one heck of a comeback.
 
Graham Thorpe. Vastly underrated player. Came back from a very depressing year in his life
 
VVS Laxman?

Was forced to open from 1996 to 2000, getting sporadic chances. Made it clear to selectors he will only play as an opening batsman. Went back to domestic cricket, scored 1500+ runs with 13-14 FC 100s in a season, made a comeback in the 2000-01 Aus series, went onto score nearly 8000 Test runs@50 after that.
 
When i look back at Imran it appears surreal what he achieved through strong will and determination. No doubt for me it has to be Imran’s comeback. Mind you he had retired after England tour but made one more comeback to win us the WC.

Ahead of Botham in 1981 Ashes?
 
Matt Hayden deserves a mention. After a poor start to his career in 1994, he made a comeback to the team on tough tour to India in 2001 and ended his career as one of the best Test openers in the history of the game. He was phenomenal in all 3 formats for Australia (Tests - 50.23, ODI- 43.80, T20-51.33). That surely is one heck of a comeback.

Yup, nothing beats the second coming of Hayden. It was unexpected, it was after a long gap and it turned out to be massive.

For a comeback to be worth talked about, the cricketer has to emerge from depths to new heights. Not like someone had a bad 2 tests and he won the next one.
 
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This name came to my mind as well. Seemed like he was done under Chappel, but came back pretty strong.

Yeah. I must admit I am a biased Dada fan so take my choice with a pinch of salt.

Having said that I went with Ganguly because his fall was the greatest of all the people who have made test comebacks. From being captain to be left out of the team. Most people will just give up after that.

But Ganguly came back and how! In between his comeback tour in SA in 2006 and his final series vs Australia in late 2008 - Dada scored almost 2000 runs from 25 matches. And he actually outscored everyone else in the team. Even Sachin. Now that's how you make a comeback!
 
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