Bawa became the highest individual run-scorer for India in an innings at the U-19 World Cup and comes from a family of rich sporting history.
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Top-order batter Raj Bawa hogged the limelight for India in the U-19 World Cup on Sunday as he notched up an unbeaten knock of 162 runs off 108 balls against Uganda to help the Boys-in-Blue seal the match and qualify for the quarter-finals. His special knock, consisting 14 boundaries and eight sixes, etched his name in history books as it was the highest individual score by an Indian batter at the U-19 World Cup. He surpassed the previous record set by Shikhar Dhawan (155) against Scotland at the 2004 edition of the junior marquee event in Dhaka.
However, what is more special about the teenager, is that sport runs in his veins. His grandfather Tarlochan Bawa, was a member of the Indian Hockey team, that won the gold medal at 1948 Olympic Games in the United Kingdom. But the youngster hardly has any fond memories of him as he lost his grandfather when he was only five years old.
“I don’t have many fond memories of my grandfather because I was a kid when he died. But I have heard his stories from my grandmother and my father, which will stay with me forever,” Raj Bawa told The Indian Express.
“Whenever I see that gold medal, it gives me goosebumps, I can only imagine how important achievement it must have been, back then,” said Raj.
The left-handed batter idolizes former India all-rounder and World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh and grew up watching him coached by his father Sukhwinder Bawa who also taught the early ropes to VRV Singh. “I am proud to be a Bawa. Playing a part in carrying such a rich legacy forward is an honour, but at the same time, I always knew I have big shoes to fill. I just hope I would do justice to my family name.”
“I used to watch Yuvraj practise at my father’s coaching centre. When I first picked up the bat maybe I was trying to imitate him, and it stuck with me
“I picked up No 12 because of several reasons. My late grandfather’s birthday is on February 12. My idol Yuvraj also used to wear jersey No 12, as his birthday is on December 12. I celebrate my birthday on November 12,” he added.
The all-rounder, incidentally, also displayed his fast bowling prowess at the U-19 World Cup as he had picked up four wickets against South Africa and is a vital cog in the Covid-hit side, chasing their fifth World Cup.
