A gripping memoir that captures essence of Mohinder Amarnath’s remarkable journey

By Harsh Thakor*

Mohinder Amarnath’s autobiography, Fearless, released thirty-five years after his departure from international cricket, is a fitting tribute to his relentless courage on the cricket pitch. Co-written with his brother Rajender Amarnath, this memoir is a balanced, forthright, and anecdotal account that explores not just Amarnath's cricketing career but also his family life, philosophies, and the trials he faced both as a cricketer and as a person.

The memoir begins with touching reflections on his childhood experiences and the profound influence of his father, Lala Amarnath, on his life and career. Written in a simple, lucid style, the book is a compelling read, capturing the essence of Amarnath’s rollercoaster journey in cricket. It portrays his career as one of the most enduring tales in Indian sports history, blending moments of triumph with setbacks and controversies, akin to an epic novel with continuous ebb and flow.

Amarnath’s career was a mix of incredible highs—such as being a key player in India’s 1983 World Cup victory—and lows, including team exclusions and mental health struggles. The book reveals how Lala Amarnath remained his guiding light throughout these challenges. It is a testament to Mohinder’s grit, resilience, and ability to rise from adversity, embodying the spirit of a role model who thrived in the face of perilous odds.

Vivian Richards once hailed Amarnath as “the best player of fast bowling in the world” in 1983—a remarkable accolade for an Indian cricketer, given India’s struggles against express pace at the time. Despite his talent, Amarnath faced repeated exclusions from the Indian team, often for political reasons. The book critiques these injustices and highlights how such decisions impeded Indian cricket’s progress.

The Ultimate Epitome of Courage

Fearless emphasizes Amarnath’s technical correctness, courage, and mental resilience. The book vividly recounts his comebacks, comparing his indomitable spirit to that of Muhammad Ali. Despite often suffering in silence, Amarnath never hesitated to criticize the cricket board or selectors when warranted.

The book showcases Amarnath’s extraordinary overseas performances, with nine of his eleven Test hundreds scored away from home. His ability to deliver under pressure made him the ultimate player for a crisis.

Career Highlights

Amarnath nostalgically recalls key moments from his career, starting with his Test debut against Australia in Chennai in December 1969. He recounts his marathon 85 against the West Indies in 1976, which played a pivotal role in India’s historic record run chase of 406. He narrates how the West Indies pace battery unleashed intimidatory tactics in Kingston, sending many Indian players to the hospital.

The book details his experiences on the 1977-78 tour of Australia, where, despite India’s defeat, Amarnath’s performances won hearts. He vividly describes combating Jeff Thomson’s fiery pace on fast, bouncy pitches, topping the batting averages on the tour.

Amarnath also shares his memories of the 1978 tour of Pakistan, his emotional connection to the country, and the biased umpiring that often worked against India. He speaks candidly about his peak period from December 1982 to June 1983, during which he dominated express pace attacks, including Imran Khan’s formidable Pakistani bowling lineup and the Caribbean pace quartet of Roberts, Holding, Garner, and Marshall.

He recounts his pivotal role in India’s 1983 World Cup triumph, earning Man of the Match awards in both the semifinal and the final. The book also highlights his resurgence in 1984-85 with a match-saving century in Pakistan and his consistent performances in subsequent years.

Revelations Against Selectors

Amarnath openly criticizes selectors for their unfair treatment during his career, famously referring to them as “a bunch of jokers.” He discusses how he learned about his selection for the 1983 World Cup from a friend in the UK, rather than the BCCI.

Player Appraisals

Amarnath boldly compares Imran Khan and Sunil Gavaskar as captains, praising Khan’s inclusive leadership style. He describes Michael Holding as the best fast bowler he faced, citing Holding’s flawless action and lightning speed. Amarnath also lauds the batting skills of Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath and praises Indian spin legends like Bishan Bedi, Chandrashekhar, and Prasanna.

Critiques and Missed Opportunities

While Fearless is an engaging read, it misses addressing some broader issues that plagued Indian cricket, such as internal dissent, captaincy disputes, and inadequate team cohesion. The book also lacks a detailed evaluation of the evolution of cricket post-Amarnath’s retirement.

Conclusion

Despite its minor shortcomings, Fearless is a gripping memoir that captures the essence of Mohinder Amarnath’s remarkable journey. It is a story of courage, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit, making it an essential read for cricket fans and sports enthusiasts alike.

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*Freelance journalist

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