Mohinder Amarnath Bhardwaj, popularly known as Mohinder Amarnath, is a former professional cricket player from India. Born on September 24, 1950, in Patiala, Punjab, Amarnath had an illustrious career that spanned two eventful decades.
Amarnath’s cricketing journey began in 1969 when he made his debut on the international stage. However, he struggled against short-pitched fast bowling during the initial stages of his career, which led to doubts about his abilities. Despite these setbacks, Amarnath proved to be resilient and showed exceptional determination.
The defining season of Amarnath’s career came in 1982-1983. After a three-year absence from the national team, he made a remarkable comeback. During this season, Amarnath exhibited his true potential by scoring an impressive 1182 runs. These runs included five centuries in 11 away Tests against formidable opponents such as West Indies and Pakistan. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in India’s triumphant campaign in the 1983 World Cup, earning back-to-back Man of the Match awards during the final stages of the tournament.
However, Amarnath’s success was short-lived when he faced a slump in the following home season against the West Indies. During this period, he could only manage a sole run in six innings, resulting in his exclusion from the team. Nevertheless, he refused to be defeated by this setback and made a remarkable comeback once again.
Amarnath’s game was not built on cheap runs. In fact, the majority of his Test centuries, nine out of eleven, were scored overseas. He fearlessly faced fast bowlers, often getting hit in the process, showcasing his unmatched courage and resilience. He became known as a batsman who never flinched in the face of fire.
After retiring from playing professional cricket, Amarnath ventured into coaching and mentoring young talents. He guided the Bangladesh national team in the mid-1990s, but unfortunately, the team failed to qualify for the 1996 World Cup, leading to his departure. Additionally, he had coaching stints with the Rajasthan team in Indian domestic competitions and the Moroccan cricket team.
Amarnath’s dedication and expertise made him a sought-after candidate for coaching positions. He was shortlisted as one of the four candidates for the role of the Indian coach in 2005. However, he turned down the opportunity to coach the India A team a few years prior to this.
Currently, Amarnath keeps himself engaged in the cricketing world through commentary assignments. His insightful analysis and vast knowledge of the game make him an invaluable asset in the field of commentary. In 2008, he was appointed as a consultant for the Bengal team, offering his expertise after their relegation to the Plate division in the Ranji Trophy.
Throughout his career, Amarnath exemplified grit, guts, and gumption. From initially being suspect against short-pitched fast bowling to becoming one of the finest and bravest players of pace, he proved his critics wrong time and time again. His numerous comebacks and unwavering determination have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket.
Mohinder Amarnath’s contributions to the sport and his unwavering passion for the game have cemented his legacy as one of India’s cricketing greats. His courage and resilience will be remembered for generations to come, inspiring aspiring cricketers to face challenges head-on and never give up on their dreams.
