There are few 21 year olds who can claim such press footage and media exposure as Surrey off spin bowler Amar Virdi. From an early age as a cricketer, first at Indian Gymkhana CC and then Sunbury CC, it was clear that Amar virdi was going to be a talent to be reckoned with. By the time he was 13, Virdi was playing adult cricket and was definitely one to watch. 

For the few readers who may not know much about him, here are a few pointers. In 2016 Virdi was selected for the England Young Lions squad – previously known as England Under 19s – and played in two internationals against Sri Lanka; in his first match he took 5 wickets.  In May 2017, in his introductory first class match for Surrey, and aged 19, he took three wickets against Essex in Chelmsford, two of which were in one over. In 2018 his achievements continued, taking 39 wickets in Surrey’s successful Specsavers County Championship campaign. Early 2019 saw a back injury, but on his return to the Surrey team in mid July, he took an astonishing 14 wickets in a single match against Nottingham at Trent Bridge – his first innings tally being a notable 8 for 61. So far Virdi has played 23 first class matches in which he’s taken 69 wickets. Currently, he’s part of the 55 strong squad called up to train for England as we anticipate resumption of cricket post pandemic. Virdi has the highest wicket count of any home-grown off spinner in Surrey. For everyone who loves cricket, and for everyone who loves sporting excellence, this is a young man to follow.

his success has not been just about natural talent. It’s been about that talent and his passion, determination and willingness to work hard.

Amar Virdi is undeniably a natural cricketer, but his success has not been just about natural talent. It’s been about that talent and his passion, determination and willingness to work hard. It’s been about transforming an innate understanding of the game into an instinctive performance based on training and self-discipline. As with all top sportsmen and sportswomen, natural talent takes you a long way – but what makes the difference is sheer hard work and the right mindset.

His approach to the game is simple. He wants to take wickets, he wants to win and he wants to play Test Cricket.

And dedication and determination Virdi has a-plenty. Put a ball, even an apple, in his hand and he will instinctively start to roll it and spin it gently into the air. His approach to the game is simple. He wants to take wickets, he wants to win and he wants to play Test Cricket. And he’s willing to work hard to achieve these goals. Without exception, as soon as he takes the ball for an over, he’s hunting – and watch out anyone at the crease holding a bat but Virdi still brings a sharpness of focus that’s rare. Perhaps what makes it special, however, particularly for a young man, is the holistic approach that he brings to the game and his bowling. And again, although this may have been latent, it’s also an approach which he’s worked hard to develop. 

his ability to channel his energies in a positive direction that has made the difference.

Virdi’s journey has not always been easy and, perhaps because of his youth, the early stages of his career were something of the proverbial roller-coaster. There were periods of challenge as well as success, and as remarkable as his current skills are, it’s been his ability to channel his energies in a positive direction that has made the difference. Of course, he is human and he is not perfect but, with training, guidance and support, he has found a way to work through difficult patches and back to where he wants to be.

For the spectator, the larger part of sports training can appear to be about the physical practice. That will always be essential, but equally important is the mental training, and developing the inner  self-discipline to adapt and remain in control, especially when things get tough. This is about finding a way from darkness to light and a way of channelling energies in the right direction. A fairly recent example was in early 2019 when Virdi was injured and lost fitness as well as form. The journey back to peak fitness was, by his own admission, a significant effort (“So yes, it hurt,”) and he’s the first to recognise the support he had from coaches throughout his career. 

I’ve helped him with his skills acquisition and to become the best he can be, and then better still.

It’s with this training and determination that he has developed a trademark combination of calmness, adaptability and ambition. Over several years I’ve worked closely with Amar and have been continually impressed with his determination and his capacity to keep learning. I’ve helped him with his skills acquisition and to become the best he can be, and then better still. A significant part of my coaching is also about state of mind and I’ve worked with him to maintain peak performance every time he comes in to bowl. His record is already impressive but what’s really exciting is that I know he has all the ingredients to be a champion spinner – it’s just a matter of time.

he is obviously becoming more aware of his own potential and responsibility as a role model – speaking of Monty Panesar he’s said ‘It was exciting seeing a guy who looks like me bowling off-spin in Test cricket.’ It’s not a huge leap of imagination to suggest that Virdi is on the same upwards trajectory.

Author: Eranga Mendis ( Specialist Spin bowling Coach)