Well, cricket in 2022 has been challenging and erratic. For players, its superfluity has made them pursue interesting choices. So far a record number of players are debuting as well as retiring. Specifically for the busiest international team (India), around 48 players were featured across formats in 2021. However, the number was still relatively less than the tally of WI players (55) who played in the same year.

But on the flip side, cricketers are also rapidly hanging their international boots. In this calendar year, around 12 cricketers have already bid adieu to international cricket. Even multi-format stars like Ben Stokes are preferring to only appear in the relevant formats.

Nonetheless, in such a mishmash, there are also a few individuals who have strived hard to reappear in international cricket. After a long gap, these players have made strong comebacks in 2022. Therefore, in this list, let’s check out these names.

Dinesh Karthik

Before this year, DK was perceived as an internationally retired cricketer. The gloveman before the IPL 2022 had last played international cricket in 2019. Even his performances in IPL 2021 rarely indicated his resurgence. However, his second stint with RCB in the last IPL allowed DK to reappear for team India.

Though the 37-year-old was never on the selector’s radar, his brilliant IPL 2022 performances sealed his comeback deal. In the cash-rich league, DK astonished everyone in his new avatar. In the league stages, the cricketer exhibited a very lofty strike rate of 191.33 smashing 287 runs. More importantly, DK also towered during the death-over stages by hitting at a strike rate of 226.37 (min 30 balls faced).

Overall, the veteran’s majestic show in IPL 2022 inevitably compelled his India comeback in T20Is. In fact, in his international re-entry, Karthik has just continued from where he had left in the IPL. Against SA in the home T20I series, the batter again showcased the second-best strike rate. All in all, DK’s strong comeback in 2022 also makes him certain to play in the upcoming World T20.

See Also: Suresh Raina- India’s and The IPL’s Evergreen T20 Star (cricketwinner.com)

Rilee Rossouw

Even this SA cricketer recently made his international comeback for Proteas. The southpaw during SA’s T20Is against England reappeared after almost six years. Before that, Rossouw played his last international game (ODI) in 2016 against Australia. It was his Kolpak deal in January 2017 that allowed him to pursue cricket in the UK.

However, after the UK departed from European Union, Rossouw again had to resort back to South Africa. The 32-year old to reselect himself again had to grind hard both in SA’s domestic cricket and in various T20 Leagues. Eventually, his runs in the PSL and in the T20 blast convinced the selectors to play him again for international cricket.

Overall, Rossouw’s stellar comeback against England also has given him a flight ticket for the 2022 World T20. More importantly, as SA’s ace batter- Rassie van der Dussen is injured for the ICC event, Rossouw will have to fill this big void. All in all, the cricketer would also prefer taking massive strides to elongate his SA white-ball career.

Tom Cooper

In 2022, even Tom Cooper has made his strong reappearance for Netherlands cricket. The cricketer in T20Is made his comeback after six years. Even in ODIs, Cooper’s hiatus ended after nine long years. Also previously, the 35-year-old last played in an ICC event in 2016.

However, for Dutch cricket, Cooper’s reappearance is a big boon. Especially as the team comprises young talent, the veteran’s presence can be a guiding force. Also with regards to Cooper’s recent performances, the batter in ODIs against PAK scored three consecutive sixty-plus scores.

Further, as the Netherlands will soon play the World T20 qualifiers, Cooper’s experience in Australia will be immensely valuable. Hopefully this time the men in orange will also look to qualify beyond the qualifier stage.