Top 5 players expected to make a comeback in 2013

There is a famous saying in cricket that, making a comeback is tougher than making a debut. But the game has produced great fighters like Yuvraj Singh – the king of comebacks – who came back after taking almost a year off for the treatment of his rare germ cell cancer and is again in the blue jersey, being an inspiration for everybody. Here are the top five players among all that are most likely to make a comeback in 2013, considering the poor run of team India across all the formats.

1. Subramaniam Badrinath

The run-machine averages more than 60 in first class Cricket. The amount of talent he possesses can be estimated from the fact that he admits he is out of form lately, while his current average in the Ranji Trophy is 49.57. If he averages close to 50 when he is out of touch, it is quite evident what he can do when he is on song. His comeback chances seem to be the strongest amongst others, with only his age (32) on the negative side.

2. Mohammad Kaif

He was the hero of the famous NatWest Series Final, Lord’s, 2002. He last played for India six years ago. But looking at the dismal performance by the Indian middle order in both One Days and Tests recently, it won’t be completely surprising to give the opportunity to the all-experienced and one of the most consistent performers over the last few years in the Indian domestic circuit. The void that Laxman’s exit has created can be filled up to some extent with the inclusion of Mohammad Kaif, who possesses a similar batting style.

3. S. Sreesanth

You love him, you hate him, but you just can’t ignore him. He is the most controversial player of India in recent times. There is another saying in Cricket, that when Sreesanth is in action, something is bound to happen. The speedster has recently recovered from a toe injury which kept him out of action for over a year. With India struggling to find the perfect bowling combination in all the formats, it is just a matter of time before the selectors give him a recall.

4. Harbhajan Singh

Currently the most experienced bowler in Test cricket for India, he might soon earn a recall again after he failed to impress in the third home Test versus England. But it is almost certain that year 2013 promises a lot, as he is on the brink of joining the elite category of playing 100 Test matches for team India. The fighting spirit of Harbhajan is known to all and it is just a matter of time before the off spinner gets his rhythm back and hopefully puts the Indian team back on the track, who seem off course lately.

5. Yusuf Pathan

It is very tough to ignore an all-rounder as huge as him. A game-changer in true sense of the word, he has the unique ability to change the game single-handedly and destroy the best of the bowlers on his day. With his attacking mindset, he may be used to give the team depth in terms of batting and share the role of a part-time spinner along with Jadeja, Yuvraj and Raina. But his comeback may be restricted to One Day Internationals and Twenty20s as of now, as he is considered a One Day specialist.