Top 5 comebacks by Indian players in Test cricket

3. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly

From being acknowledged as one of the greatest Indian captains to being accused of being a selfish batsman, Sourav Chandidas Ganguly has seen it all. The story of Ganguly’s comeback into the Indian team is one that embodies inspiration in the truest sense.

Remember the famous Pepsi advertisement where he says, “Mera naam Sourav Ganguly hai. Bhule toh nahi?”.

In what was perhaps the lowest point of his glittering career, Ganguly was involved in a major fall-out with coach Greg Chappell during India’s tour of Zimbabwe in 2005. Amidst questions over his captaincy ability and diminishing batting prowess, he was sacked as the Indian captain and eventually removed from the team.

However, for a man who had waited for almost four years after being dropped for the first time in 1992, this was just another opportunity to prove his worth. After a string of superlative performances in domestic cricket, Ganguly fought his way back to the Indian team for the first Test against South Africa in 2006. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The match is now remembered as India’s first Test victory in South Africa following Ganguly’s courageous half-century in extremely hostile conditions. In what is described by many as Ganguly’s best period as a batsman, his comeback involved his maiden double-century against Pakistan and also the distinction of being the second highest run-getter in Tests in 2007.