5 most unexpected comebacks in cricket in 2025

Published - 07 Jan 2026, 17:05 IST | Updated - 07 Jan 2026, 17:07 IST

It won't be wrong to call 2025 a year of comebacks, not just for individual players but for teams as well. Comeback stories are always beautiful, especially when it comes to the domain of sport. Fans are naturally drawn to redemption stories because they strike a deep emotional chord, mirroring personal struggles and providing hope that individuals can rise from tumultuous times.

In this article, let's take a look at five most unexpected cricketing comeback stories in 2025:

Varun Chakaravarthy played his first ICC tournament in 2021, as he was a part of the Indian team for T20 World Cup in the UAE. The mystery spinner was found wanting on the international arena and had to wait for almost four years to get a chance to prove his mettle in an ICC event.

Chakaravarthy was not picked in India's initial squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, he was added at the last-minute, in place of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The Tamil Nadu spinner grabbed the opportunity with both hands, finishing as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker.