5 most unexpected comebacks in cricket in 2025

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:

Most unexpected comebacks in cricket in 2025

5. Varun Chakaravarthy's magnificent comeback at an ICC event

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.

4. Mumbai Indians' run to the playoffs after slow start

Mumbai Indians' comeback in the IPL should not come as a surprise. The traditional slow starters managed just one win out of their first five games in IPL 2025. However, they bounced back with six consecutive wins.

Mumbai Indians made it to Qualifier 2, which can be considered a huge achievement for a team that had been languishing at the bottom half of the table for quite some time in the tournament. The five-time champions finished last in 2024 but came back commendably in the following year.

3. Shubman Gill's Test hurray in England

Shubman Gill was appointed captain of the Indian Test team after Rohit Sharma abruptly retired from the format during IPL 2025. This decision shocked many as Shubman was averaging just 35.05 in Tests ahead of India's next red-ball assignment, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

However, Shubman managed to repay the faith shown by the selectors in his ability. The Punjab batter slammed 754 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.40, finishing as the highest run-scorer. Shubman pushed his overall Test average to well over 40 with his exploits against England. He also led a young team brilliantly as the series ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

2. South Africa's World Test Championship glory

South Africa ended their ICC title drought after beating Australia in the World Test Championship final at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in England. This win meant a lot to the South African supporters as they had crashed out in the knockout stages in various ICC events, including two quarter-finals, 12 semi-finals, and one final.

Not many in the cricket fraternity gave the Proteas a chance against a strong Australian side. Some even opined that South Africa did not face too many stiff challenges en route to the finals. South Africa handed a 74-run lead in the first innings, but the Temba Bavuma-led side bounced back like warriors and chased down a 282-run target in the fourth innings to lift the title.

1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru silences critics

Not many franchises in world cricket have a fanbase as passionate and loyal as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, despite having some star-studded teams over the years, the coveted IPL title eluded them. Still, fans did not give up on their team, flocking to the stadiums season after season, hoping that the fortunes would turn around eventually.

The year 2025 actually turned out to be the magical one for RCB as they lifted the IPL trophy by beating Punjab Kings in the final. Even the legendary Virat Kohli, who has been a part of the franchise since its inception, could not hold his tears back after the triumph.