Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath has said that he enjoys watching Virat Kohli in action. The 1983 World Cup winner expressed his love for the legendary batter Virat Kohli, who recently scored a hundred in the second innings of the Perth Test against Australia. Legendary Indian all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath on Thursday said he admires Virat Kohli for the passion he brings onto the cricket field and for his brilliant performances over the years for the country.
Mohinder Amarnath, one of the top all-rounders of his time and a key member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, asked youngsters to learn from Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli ends his century drought at Perth against Australia
The 36-year-old Virat Kohli was struggling for runs before landing in Australia but returned to his best in the first contest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He faced 143 balls and hit 8 boundaries and 2 sixes to reach the three-figure mark for the 30th time in his Test career. Virat Kohli was dismissed for five runs in the first innings but made amends with an unbeaten 100 in the second essay. Kohli was dismissed for five runs in the first innings but made amends with an unbeaten 100 in the second essay.
Speaking at the launch of his book Fearless: A Memoir. Amarnath lauded Kohli for his approach and hunger to score runs for the team and show resilience against the quickfire Australians
The youngsters have a lot to learn from Virat Kohli- Mohinder Amarnath
Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath picked star batter Virat Kohli as the cricketer he enjoys watching. The 1983 World Cup winner expressed his admiration for the passion with which the former India captain plays and added that youngsters have a lot to learn from him.
Kohli (36) is currently part of the Indian Test team for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy being played in Australia. He was under a lot of pressure heading into the first Test in Perth after scoring less than 100 runs in six innings during India’s 3-0 drubbing at home against New Zealand. The right-hander batter, however, scored a sublime 100* in the second innings of the Perth Test.
Speaking at the launch of his book ‘Fearless: A Memoir’, Mohinder Amarnath hailed Kohli and commented (as quoted by PTI):
“The person I really enjoy watching and admire is Virat Kohli. The way he plays, the kind of passion he has been showing over a period of time, and the way he has been playing and performing, it is brilliant. I think youngsters have a lot to learn from him.”
Kohli was dismissed for five in the first innings in Perth, but made amends with a memorable hundred in the second essay, notching up his 30th Test ton. India went on to win the game by 295 runs, registering their biggest Test triumph in Australia in terms of runs.
Mohinder Amarnath praises Yashasvi Jaiswal for his century at Perth
Apart from Kohli, Mohinder Amarnath also acknowledged that he is very impressed with how opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has kick-started his Test career. Describing his record as unbelievable, he hoped the youngster would remain consistent with his performances.
“I am very pleased for any youngster to come and do well because we all start as young, because when you get an opportunity, you have to grab it with both hands, which they have done it, and Jaiswal especially,” the 74-year-old said.
“If you see his record, it’s unbelievable, he has been very consistent, I hope this form continues and he is a very positive player which I like. Because one failure, it doesn’t make you bad, but if you have the talent, so I am sure things will only get better with time,” Amarnath added.
After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings in Perth, Jaiswal compiled a magnificent 161 in the second essay. In 15 Tests so far, the left-hander has scored 1,568 runs at an excellent average of 58.07, with four hundreds and eight fifties. The second test between India on Australia pink-ball affair begins on December 6 at Adelaide Oval and India would like to continue on the winning momentum.