Mohinder Amarnath feels youngsters can learn a lot from ‘passionate’ Virat Kohli

Former Indian all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath believes the young lads can learn a lot from passionate Virat Kohli. The talisman returned to form in the opening Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth. The right-hander was dismissed for only five runs in the first innings by Josh Hazlewood but turned a corner in the second essay as he scored an unbeaten knock of 100 runs.

This was Kohli’s 31st Test century and his seventh in the Australian conditions. Meanwhile, Kohli has played an instrumental role in guiding young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill at the top level.

Speaking on his book launch, Fearless: A Memoir, Amarnath said, “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.”

Amarnath, who bagged the Player of the Match in the 1983 World Cup final, also showered praise on Yashasvi Jaiswal. The left-hander scored a magnum opus knock of 161 runs in the second innings and played a key role in the team’s comprehensive win of 295 runs in the series opener.

“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.

The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.