Following the Indian team’s loss from the hands of Australia in the world test championship final former Indian opener batsman Gautam Gambhir gave a statement at a new interview where he mentioned that “cricket in India is seen for individual stars rather than a team sport.” He explained that how we Indians have forgotten the contribution of Yuvraj Singh and Mohinder Amarnath in 2011 and 1983 Odi World Cup respectively. But who is Mohinder Amarnath? Let’s discuss about this cricketing legend in this article.

Maintaining the family’s cricketing reputation

Born on 24^th September 1950 in Patiala, Punjab. Mohinder Amarnath Bhardwaj was born in a family deeply connected with sports world. His Father Lala Amarnath was a legend in the sport of cricket, first Indian to register a test century to his name. His elder brother Surinder Amarnath was an international cricketer And his younger brother Rajinder was a first class cricketer. Following his family’s footsteps, Amarnath put forward his best step in the game, establishing himself as a versatile batting all-rounder and soon became vice captain of Indian team. He had a unique style along with a fearless style of play.

Also referred as Jimmy by fellow cricketers his career lasted 20 years from 1969-89. During which he featured in 69 test cricket matches and 85 one day internationals scoring with an average of 40. He completely fitted the role of fast bowling- batting all rounder who batted generally at number three position and got some important wickets with his unique run up.

Finest Batsman in the world : Sunil Gawaskar

Mohinder Amarnath is considered by experts as one of the best Indian batsman in history against express pace. In his book “Idols”, Indian legend and compatriot Sunil Gavaskar described Mohinder Amarnath as the finest batsman in the world. Fiery fast bowlers Imran Khan of Pakistan and Malcolm Marshall of West Indies have praised his batting , courage and ability to endure and master pain. West Indian cricketing great Vivian Richards called him “one of the nicest men to have ever played the game” and former Australian Test opening batsman David Boon said “Concede didn’t seem to be in his vocabulary”.

The 1983 epic

Not too much peoples knowledge Mohinder Amarnath was crowned as India’s player of the match in both semi final and the final. As mentioned by Gautam Gambhir “we all remember Kapil Dev lifting the cup but we have forgotten the foundation which was created by Mohinder Amarnath.”

In the semi final he claimed two top order batsman’s wicket with that minute economy of 2.25. When put to bat, he is scored decisive 46 runs to seal the game for India.

In the final when India struggled to score against world’s best bowling attack of West Indies,  he occupied the pitch for the longest allowing others to score runs. He played a form knock of 26 runs. When bowling he took the maximum of three wicket giving only12 runs in 7 over allowing India to lift the cup. Same as the semi final he was declared as man of the match in the final too.

As the vice captain of the team his photo of lifting the cup is also a memorable image in the history of Indian cricket.

It is very clear that Mohinder Amarnath was abong the finest cricketers that India has ever produced. Seeing that such a legend does not get the recognition that he deserves is painful for every cricketing fan. This article is just an effort to spread awareness about the forgotten Vice captain of the Indian team.