5 Famous Cricketers Who Went Back To Domestic Cricket To Regain Their Form

No matter the class of batsmen or the remarkable ability of bowlers, they are bound to go through a rough phase. It can be a lot frustrating for cricketers to go through a lean patch, given their passion and undying love to perform at the international level. But the only way to redeem themselves or win back their place is to go back to the drawing board and figure out where they went wrong.

Also Read: 10 Most Selfish Cricketers

And they did. Even after being renowned and eminent in the respective departments, they admitted their faults and went to domestic cricket to rectify it.

By doing so, they set an example for the youngsters not to give up or hold on to their egos. Instead, such cricketers encouraged them to correct the obvious weakness and give their best at the international level.

We take a look at five famous cricketers who went back to domestic cricket to regain form:

Irfan Pathan:

Irfan Pathan bagged the emerging player of the award in 2004, having made his international debut for India the previous year. He was being viewed as the next Wasim Akram before going through a rough phase that saw him lose his pace and swing. Hence, the Baroda cricketer went to domestic cricket.

Irfan’s first Ranji match in a bid to regain form turned out as a satisfactory, having made 84 runs and picked three wickets for 167 runs against Uttar Pradesh. In the subsequent matches, the left-arm seamer snapped five scalps against Tamil Nadu and seven against Mumbai.

Such performances sealed his international comeback as the selectors drafted him to India’s squad in the 2007 World T20 in South Africa. The 35-year old snared ten wickets in seven fixtures that tournament at 14.90, including winning the man of the match in the final in a winning effort.

Also Read: Five Cricketers Who Played International And U-19 Cricket For Different Countries

VVS Laxman:

VVS Laxman had an eventful Test debut back in 1996 in Ahmedabad, scoring 11 and 51 in the first and second innings respectively against South Africa. Nevertheless, he failed in the next two games, paving for his axing from the side. In the subsequent tour of South Africa, Laxman could play in only one out of three Tests.

A duck in ODI debut aggravated the feeling that he should be back to domestic cricket. And the 45-year old, having creamed 1415 runs in nine matches during the 1999-00 Ranji Trophy. The same acted as a window for his comeback for the tour of Australia. The Hyderabad-born batsman scored 221 runs in three Tests on that visit with a high score of 167.

Also Read: Top 5 Youngest Cricketers To Lead India In ODIs

Zaheer Khan:

Zaheer Khan was a clever craftsman and one of the best left-arm pacers to grace the game. Zaheer was best known for moving the ball both ways off the wicket and swing the old ball at the same speed. One of the finest exponents of reverse swing, the 41-year old could generate it consistently with the old ball. In 2005, Zaheer Khan struggled for form, having hit a rough patch.

Hence, he signed with the Worcestershire county cricket team in England. Against Somerset on debut, Zaheer managed to take all ten wickets and nine against Essex, recording a staggering 78 scalps in 16 games. The stint took a turn for the better as he transformed into a better bowler after that. He retired from international cricket in 2014 as the second-highest wicket-taker for India among fast bowlers.

Also Read: Five Records That Were Created By Women Cricketers Before Male Players

Rahul Dravid:

After Sachin Tendulkar gave up the captaincy in 2000 due to a string of poor results, Sourav Ganguly took over the duties while Rahul Dravid was appointed as his deputy. The downfall of Dravid’s form had him under pressure, and hence he turned to English county cricket.

The Kent County Cricket Club signed him up, and the right-handed batsman sparkled in the second game itself, scoring a hundred. Overall, in 16 games, Dravid mustered 1221 runs at an astounding average of 55.50. In the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy, the Wall of Indian cricket marked his return.

Also Read: Five Cricketers Who Played Alongside Most Players In International Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar:

It is almost unbelievable to think that even a batsman like Sachin Tendulkar sustained a dip in his form. The Master Blaster did during his twilight years and went back to Ranji Trophy to get it right. After England conquered India in 2012, Tendulkar decided to play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy.

Against the Railways, the right-handed batsman clattered 137, consisting of 21 fours and three sixes. He went on to craft 108 against Baroda in quarterfinals, 56 in the semi-final against the Services as Mumbai won that edition. The following year, Sachin played his 200th Test, which was his last over a 24-year international career.

Also Read: Five Cricketers Who Began Their Careers As Bowlers But Ended Up As Batsmen