5 instances when cricketers came back from the lowest point of their careers

Tough times are pretty common in the career of every cricketer. During these phases, test of character is something every cricketer goes through. While some cricketers are unable to cope with the pressure, others go on to tackle the obstacle and come back stronger.

There have been several promising careers, which ended on a sad note. James Taylor and Craig Kieswetter are among those unlucky cricketers whose careers halted midway. However, some cricketers made stupendous comebacks for their nation.

As we move ahead, we take you through five instances when a player has picked himself up after hitting the lowest point of his career.

#5 Ben Stokes- Final over heartache

With 19 runs to defend, Ben Stokes was entrusted to bowl the final over of the 2016 World T20 against the West Indies. It seemed fairly straight-forward, no disrespect to the West Indies’ batting lineup, but Stokes faltered and was smashed for four consecutive sixes by Carlos Brathwaite.

While everyone expected England to win the match, West Indies went on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Stokes, quite naturally, was left devastated by the onslaught from the West Indian batsman.

However, the English all-rounder didn’t let the incident have an adverse effect on him as afterwards, he went on to become an integral part of the national team in every format of the game. Recently, he notched up a couple of ODI tons against South Africa and Australia and also went on to bag the Most Valuable Player award in the Indian Premier League.

#4 Stuart Broad- Hammered for six sixes by Yuvraj Singh

A shell-shocked Stuart Broad after being tormented by Yuvraj’s brilliance

Even on his worst day, Stuart Broad wouldn’t have imagined what transpired during India’s encounter against England in the 2007 ICC World T20. The crowd at Durban got to witness six sixes off Yuvraj Singh’s willow, with Broad being on the receiving end.

The Englishman tried to stop the flow of runs with every skill he had, but the ball kept disappearing over the rope. Broad was young, raw and the carnage could easily have dented his confidence, but instead he steadied himself so that he could face further challenges.

In 2016, he became the number one bowler in Test cricket and currently has 368 wickets in the longest version of the sport. With James Anderson, he has troubled the best in the business over the years and has been instrumental in several of England’s victories.

#3 Mohammad Amir- The no-ball saga

The no-ball that turned Amir’s career upside down

The year 2010 witnessed one of the ugliest spot fixing scandals in the world of cricket. Mohammad Amir, a then 18-year old, was found guilty of bowling intentional no-balls, which was perceived to be an instruction he was asked to follow by the bookies.

He was jailed for six months, handed a ban of five years and was also barred from playing any sort of cricket. However, life presented him with a second chance as he represented Pakistan in the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

In his comeback game against India, he ripped the heart out of their celebrated batting line-up by picking up three wickets in his first two overs. Later in the year, he returned to England to represent Pakistan in Test cricket and more recently, played a key role in Pakistan’s surprise Champions Trophy triumph.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar- Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow was a difficult phase in the Little Master’s career

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar’s career was marred with injuries with the Tennis Elbow being the most significant one. He confessed that he used to have difficulties in holding the bat and also feared that the injury might end his career.

Even in the movie Sachin-A Billion Dreams, he mentioned that picking up a glass of water seemed painful, let alone a bat. In 2005, he was admitted to the St John and St Elizabeth Hospital where he underwent treatment.

However, the injury couldn’t deter him as he played the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean. He helped India lift the 2011 World Cup at his home ground in Mumbai and eventually went on to play till November 2013 when he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

#1 Yuvraj Singh- Cancer survivor

Yuvraj Singh’s story has been an inspiration to many

In 2012, Yuvraj Singh was diagnosed with cancer and it was undoubtedly the most challenging phase of his life. At a stage where people ponder about their chances of survival, Yuvraj eyed a comeback into the national team.

He underwent chemotherapy in the United States which helped him recover steadily. The southpaw has been an epitome of grit, determination and perseverance as he weathered the storm of a deadly disease.

In January 2017, he smashed the England bowling attack in a One Day International as he notched up his highest score of 150. At 35, Yuvraj might not be the vibrant cricketer that he once was, but he is still an essential component of the Men in Blues in the limited overs format.