Top 12 Cricketers Who Made Comeback After

In cricket, retirement is usually a personal decision of the player and is not subject to the mandatory constraints of the International Cricket Council (ICC) or national cricket committees. Therefore, in theory, any retired player can return to the field as long as his physical condition allows and he obtains approval from relevant agencies.

In the actual return, players will inevitably have to re-adapt to the high-intensity training and game rhythm, and also face the high attention of the media and the public. Next, I will introduce you to the relevant knowledge of retirement and comeback in cricket, and list some famous players who returned to the field after announcing their retirement.

Top 12 Cricketers Who Came Back After Retirement

Players who can return to the field often have great courage and determination. Here are 12 legendary cricketers who announced their retirement and then made a comeback:

James Anderson

He retired from Test cricket in July 2023, returned to Lancashire in May 2025 to participate in the County Championship, and took 3 wickets in the match against Derby County, showing the style of a veteran.

Mohammad Amir

Announced his retirement in 2020 and announced his return to international cricket in March 2024. He decided to return after positive discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board and performed well in the T20 series against New Zealand, taking 5 wickets (cricketer stats) and helping the team to victory.

Moeen Ali

Retired from Test cricket in 2021 and returned before the Ashes series in 2023. He decided to return after receiving an invitation from captain Ben Stokes to fill the position of Jack Leach who was absent due to injury.

Ben Stokes

Announced his retirement from ODIs in 2022 and returned to the national team for the World Cup in 2023. He played a key role in the game and helped England achieve excellent results in the World Cup.

Shahid Afridi

announced his retirement and comeback several times before officially retiring in 2017. He was selected in the World XI team in 2018 for the Hurricanes Relief T20 Challenge and served as captain, demonstrating his continued passion for cricket.

Tamim Iqbal

Announced retirement in July 2023, returned a day later at the persuasion of the Prime Minister. His quick return shows his commitment to the national team and his love for the game.

Kevin Pietersen

Announced his retirement from ODIs in 2012, but made a comeback shortly after. He played for the MCC against World XI in 2014 and participated in the Ultimate Cricket Challenge in 2020, showing his continued interest in cricket.

Deandra Dottin

Retired in 2022, announced her return to international competition in July 2024. She expressed her hope to contribute her experience and skills to the West Indies women’s team and mentor young players.

Andrew Flintoff

Returned to the T20 arena in 2014 but retired again. He was appointed head coach of the England Lions in 2024 and continues to contribute to the cause of cricket.

Carl Hooper

Retired in 1999, returned to captain the West Indies in 2001. He led the West Indies to victory over India in the 2001-02 home series, and won the ODI series against New Zealand and India in 2002.

Grant Flower

Retired in 2004 and returned to the Zimbabwe national team in 2010. He provided valuable experience to the team after his return and played a key role in the game.

Brendan Taylor

Retired in 2015 and returned to the national team in 2017. He performed well in the 2015 World Cup and became the first player in Zimbabwe’s history to score more than a hundred points in two consecutive games in the same World Cup.

Understanding the Rules When Cricketers Return from Retirement

Retired players who want to return to the international arena usually need to meet several key conditions:

Physical fitness: Players need to pass rigorous physical tests to ensure that they can cope with high-intensity training and match pressure.

Team needs: Experienced veterans may be recalled if the team needs manpower due to injuries or tactical adjustments.

Official approval: The return requires the official approval of the national cricket board or club.

For example, Moeen Ali was recalled by England in 2023 due to the urgent need of the Ashes series. His return strengthened the team’s strength and demonstrated his loyalty to the national team.

Why Do Some Cricketers Choose to Return After Retirement

There are many reasons why players choose to return:

Unfinished goals: Some players are unwilling to say goodbye and hope to prove themselves again.

The call of the country: In key events or when there is a shortage of manpower, they choose to step forward.

Economic incentives: The high remuneration of commercial events such as the T20 League is also an important motivation.

Love for cricket: The most fundamental reason is often that they find it difficult to give up their passion for the game.

For example, Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir announced his retirement in 2020 due to management issues. But after re-communication with the Pakistan Cricket Board, he announced his return in March 2024 and expressed his hope to play for the country again. Showing his sense of responsibility to the country and his dedication to cricket.

How many situations are there for cricket players to retire

There are usually the following forms of “retirement” in cricket:

1. Retired from all forms of cricket

The player announces retirement from all forms of cricket (international games + domestic games + professional leagues).

Example: Sachin Tendulkar, known as the God of Cricket, announced his full retirement due to age.

Consequences: No longer participate in any official games, only exhibition games, retired star games, etc.

2. Retired from international cricket

Retired from international cricket only (Test, ODI, T20I), but may continue to participate in domestic leagues (such as IPL, BBL).

Example: M.S. Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket in 2020, but still plays in IPL; if he withdraws from IPL in the future, it will be a full retirement.

Common reasons: age, physical burden, focus on making money in the league, etc.

3. Retired from a particular format

Retired from only one format. The purpose of this situation is to reduce the burden and prolong the career.

Example: Rohit Sharma officially announced his retirement from Test in his personal media in May 2025, focusing on other formats and leagues. Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from Test international competitions in his personal social media in May 2025, but continued to lead RCB in the IPL. This is a single-format retirement. He said that the reason for retiring from Test was to achieve a better balance between family and work. It can be seen that retirement is not a farewell to cricket, but an adjustment of the personal life stage.

4. Retirement due to injury or illness

Forced to retire due to long-term injury or health problems. This is not a voluntary retirement and is often regrettable.

Example: Craig Kieswetter retired due to an eye injury; Mark Boucher retired early due to an eye injury.

5. Tactical retirement

This is not the end of a career, but refers to a temporary absence from the game, often used in game terms.

Retired hurt: Temporary withdrawal due to injury (can come back), not considered retirement.

Retired out: Voluntary departure and no return, extremely rare (such as Ashwin in IPL)

Is It Common for Cricketers to Come Out of Retirement

Cricket comebacks are not uncommon, especially with the growing popularity of T20 leagues. The growing demand for experienced players in such events provides opportunities for veterans to come back.

However, comebacks are still rare in the international arena. Most players turn to coaching, commentary, management and other fields after retirement.

Conclusion

Retirement does not mean the end. For those players who are in good physical condition and still have passion, returning to the game is a possibility and an honor. This is not only an affirmation of their own abilities, but also a re-interpretation of the spirit of cricket. Today, fans can follow the game dynamics in a timely manner through the Cricket Match Schedule and Results on the authoritative sports platform, understand the specific performance and cricketer stats of retired players, and deeply feel their unremitting persistence and extraordinary data performance on the field.

FAQs

Can retired players comeback in cricket IPL?

Yes, retired players can come back to IPL through auction or direct signing, as long as they get approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). For example, Ambati Rayudu came back after retirement and helped CSK win the title in 2023.

Can a player come back from retirement?

Yes. As long as the player’s physical condition allows and the relevant authorities allow, the player can return to the game.

At what age do most cricketers retire?

Most players retire between the ages of 35 and 37, but there are exceptions like James Anderson who is still active at the age of 42.

Reference information sources: Wikipedia, Ascores, Wisden