Mohinder Amarnath Bhardwaj, born on September 24, 1950, is a former Indian cricketer, cricket analyst, and actor. He is the son of Lala Amarnath, who was the first post-independence captain of India. Mohinder was a key member of the Indian cricket team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup.
Early Life:
Mohinder was born in Patiala as the second eldest son of Lala Amarnath and Kailash Kumari. His elder brother, Surinder, is a former international cricketer, and his younger brother, Rajinder, is a former first-class cricketer. He has two sisters, Kamala and Dolly.
Career:
Mohinder made his debut against Australia in December 1969 as a quick-bowling all-rounder. At his peak, he was a top-order batsman who mainly played at No. 3 for India. Known for his unique run-up and seemingly lethargic demeanor, he was, in fact, a batsman with nerves of steel.
In his Test career, Mohinder played 69 matches, scoring 4,378 runs at an average of 42.50, including 11 centuries and 24 fifties. He also claimed 32 wickets. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he scored 1,924 runs in 85 matches at an average of 30.53 and claimed 46 wickets.
Accolades:
Famous fast bowlers like Imran Khan and Malcolm Marshall praised his batsmanship, courage, and ability to endure and master pain. In the 1982–83 season, Mohinder played 11 Test matches against Pakistan and the West Indies, scoring over 1000 runs in the two series.
During the 1983 Cricket World Cup, Mohinder played a crucial role, earning the “Man of the Match” in both the semi-final and final. His accurate seam bowling and composed batting in the final against the West Indies contributed significantly to India’s historic World Cup win.
Trials and Tribulations:
Despite his exceptional performances, Mohinder faced frequent exclusions from the Indian Test side. Known as the “Comeback Man of Indian Cricket,” he would fight his way back with stellar domestic performances.
Character and Courage:
Mohinder was known for his personality, courage, and determination. Vivian Richards called him “one of the nicest men to have ever played the game.” He demonstrated great ability to withstand pain, facing lethal fast bowlers with resilience.
Trivia:
Mohinder had unique dismissals, including being the only Indian dismissed for handling the ball and obstructing the field in ODIs. He carried a red handkerchief visibly in his trouser pocket while batting, displaying a unique superstition.
Cricket Coaching:
Mohinder presented a popular weekly cricket coaching TV program in the late ’80s/early ’90s called ‘Cricket with Mohinder Amarnath.’ The program featured technique presentations and discussions with guest speakers, including Indian national team members.
Personal Life:
Mohinder Amarnath is married to Inderjit Amarnath, and they have one daughter.
In Popular Culture:
The 2021 Hindi film “83,” based on India’s 1983 World Cup victory, features Saqib Saleem as Mohinder Amarnath, with Amarnath himself playing the role of his father, Lala. Amarnath also played the role of a cricket coach in the 2016 film “Dishoom,” in which he co-starred with Saleem.