Top 10 Greatest Comeback in Cricket History

Sports always generate some great moments that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Moments like these keep fans engaged and make them fall in love with the game all over again. Cricket is no different, and there have been many such moments that have given fans a lot to cheer about, especially when their favourite teams make comebacks from no-win situations.

Over the years, there have been many greatest comeback in cricket history that fans will remember forever. Best cricket teams in the world like India, Australia, and England feature on this list the most, but several others have made brilliant comebacks. Here we look at the best comebacks in cricket history.

List of Greatest Comeback in Cricket history

Cricket is famous for its twists and turns, especially Test cricket, which frequently results in the greatest comeback in cricket history. Whether it's individual brilliance or teamwork, these comebacks have cemented their place in cricket history.

Which are the Greatest Comeback in Cricket History?

The best comebacks in cricket have often come after a team has been in a no-win situation. Players and teams have powered through these situations and given themselves chances of winning. Here are the top comebacks in cricket.

10. West Indies vs Australia | 1993

West Indies had won the match by one run. Curtly Ambrose's 6-for-74 helped them take a first-inning lead. They set Australia 186 as the target, who faltered after a promising start. Australia lost their final three wickets for 42 runs, falling short by one run. The match was decided by the narrowest margin in Test history, with a stunning collapse and a tight ending.

9. India vs Australia | 1981

After giving a 188-run lead in the first innings, India, backed by Kapil Dev's fifer, bowled Australia out for 83 in the second innings to secure a 59-run win. This was undoubtedly one of India's one of the greatest comeback wins, especially given the circumstances, as it came against a formidable Australian team in the challenging conditions of Melbourne.

8. Australia vs Sri Lanka | 1992

Australia, down by 291 runs in the first innings, recovered by scoring 471 in the second, setting Sri Lanka a target of 181. Shane Warne, one of the best Australian bowlers, and Greg Matthews then ripped through Sri Lanka's batting lineup, with Warne taking three wickets for 0 runs in 13 balls to seal a 16-run victory. This comeback was only possible thanks to Warne's mastery in leg-spin and his determination to win at all costs.

7. India vs England | 2002

The NatWest Series final will always be one of the special moments for Indian cricket fans. Sourav Ganguly removing his shirt in celebration is one of the most iconic cricketing moments. India was suffering at 146/5, chasing England's 325, when Mohammad Kaif (87*) and Yuvraj Singh (69) formed a 121-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Despite losing more wickets, India managed a thrilling two-wicket victory in the final over.

6. England vs Australia | 2019

Ben Stokes' valiant effort that helped England secure one of the greatest wins over Australia is surely one of the best comeback in cricket history. England had only managed 67 runs in the first innings, handing Australia a 112-run lead, who then scored 246 to set a target of 359 for England to chase. Despite Joe Root and Joe Denly setting a brilliant platform, England once again had a major collapse, falling to 286/9. However, Stokes was not ready to give up and put on a brilliant show with Jack Leach on the other end. These two added 76 runs together, with Leach only contributing 1 run. Stokes' unbeaten 135 helped them win this match.

5. West Indies vs Australia | 2003

Ramnaresh Sarwan (105), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104), Omari Banks (47*), and Vasbert Drakes (27*) led the West Indies to a three-wicket victory as they chased down a record total of 418 runs against Australia. Earlier, Australian openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden had taken on the attack against them to score 111 and 117 runs, respectively. In Test cricket history, this continues to be one of the most successful run chases and historic cricket comebacks.

4. Australia vs Afghanistan | 2023

Australia were 91/7 chasing Afghanistan's 291 when Glenn Maxwell hit an amazing 201 not out from 128 balls, helped by skipper Pat Cummins, who contributed 12 runs in a 200-run partnership in the ODI World Cup 2023. This innings, despite cramping and injury, was one of Maxwell's finest ever. This innings is the biggest score and only double century in an ODI run chase, an incredible performance given the situation they were in. His powerful innings helped Australia pull off one of the more unforgettable comebacks in cricket history.

3. England vs Australia | 1981

After being bowled out for 174 in response to Australia's 401, England was asked to follow on and were at 135/7 until Ian Botham's valiant 149* and a vital partnership with Graham Dilley saved them from losing by an innings. Australia was subsequently given a target of 130 runs after England scored 356. After that, Bob Willis' brilliance helped in bowling Australia out for 111 with an incredible spell of 8/43, giving England a thrilling 18-run victory.

2. South Africa vs Australia | 2006

With one wicket remaining in the last over, South Africa completed an apparently impossible run chase after Australia scored a then-record 434 runs. This was made possible by the hundreds of Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs. This match is frequently regarded as the best ODI ever played because of the record-breaking run chase. The record of the highest chase still remains with the Proteas. This nail-biting thriller remains one of the top cricket comebacks.

1. India vs Australia | 2001

Australia's record of 16 straight Test victories was broken, and this was only the third time in Test history that a team won after following on. This match is widely regarded as one of the best Test matches in history. After falling behind by 274 runs against a formidable Australian team, India pulled off an incredible comeback, spearheaded by Rahul Dravid (180) and VVS Laxman (281), who combined for 376 runs. India won by 171 runs after declaring at 7/657, with Harbhajan Singh claiming six wickets in the fourth innings. It was one of the more famous cricket comebacks.

How We Analyse the Greatest Comeback in Cricket History – Major Facts

When ranking the best comebacks in cricket history, several factors need to be taken into account. From team performances to individual performances, the game situation, and the importance of any tournament or the format. Here is how we analysed and ranked the top cricket comebacks.

• Match Situation Before Comeback: A great comeback story always needs to have a major setback to begin with. All of the famous cricket comebacks have that in common. All of the matches listed above have been won by the teams in a no-win situation.
• Final Outcome: The world always remembers winners, which is why all of these matches had to have ended in the favour of the teams making a comeback. All these teams not only came back from dire situations, but they also won it.
• Opposition Strength: Coming back from a situation of not being able to win a game, especially against strong opponents, is always a major achievement. Most of these comebacks have been against major cricketing teams at the prime of their time.
• Stage of the Tournament: Playing at the highest level is never easy, and doing that on the world stage makes it even more special. Some of these matches have come at very important stages of the series or tournaments.