Described as a "schoolboy prodigy" and a "classy left-hander" by Cricinfo writer Partab Ramchand,[1] he made his first-class debut before he turned 15.
Surinder Amarnath made his first-class debut in December 1963, a few days before he turned 15, in a match played in Poona to raise money for the national Defence Fund.
[1] He scored a century on his Test debut against New Zealand in January 1976, making 124 and adding 204 for the second wicket with Sunil Gavaskar.
He then played two Tests during the tour to the West Indies in 1976, and then two more against England at home in India in 1977, during which he scored two half centuries.
"[1] A very aggressive batsman, Ramchand wrote of him, "Surinder could be [a] bit flashy but when in full flow he was a treat to watch and could decimate even the best of attacks".
[1] Surinder Amarnath's father Lala and brother Mohinder also represented India at Test level.