Raj Angad Bawa: The Rising Star of Indian Cricket

Raj Angad Bawa: The Rising Star of Indian Cricket - Career, Stats, and IPL Journey

Raj Angad Bawa

Introduction

Raj Angad Bawa is one of the most exciting young talents in Indian cricket. A standout performer in the 2022 U19 World Cup, Bawa has quickly risen through the ranks, earning a spot in the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad for IPL 2025. With his explosive all-round abilities and a strong sporting lineage (his grandfather, Tarlochan Singh Bawa, was an Olympic gold medalist in hockey), Bawa is being hailed as a future superstar.

This article covers:

• Raj Bawa's early life and cricket journey
• U19 World Cup heroics & domestic career
• IPL debut with Mumbai Indians (MI)
• Playing style, strengths, and future prospects
• Stats, records, and why he's compared to Hardik Pandya

1. Who is Raj Angad Bawa? - Early Life & Background

• Full Name: Raj Angad Bawa
• Born: 12 November 2002 (Nahan, Himachal Pradesh)
• Role: All-rounder (Right-handed batsman + Right-arm medium-fast bowler)
• Family: Grandfather Tarlochan Singh Bawa won gold in 1948 Olympics (Hockey)

Bawa grew up in a sports-loving family and was trained at Chandigarh's St. Stephen's Academy. His aggressive batting and wicket-taking ability quickly made him a standout player in age-group cricket.

2. U19 World Cup 2022 - The Breakthrough Performance

Bawa announced himself on the global stage during the 2022 ICC U19 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in India's title win.

Key Performances:

• 162* vs Uganda - Highest score by an Indian in U19 WC history
• 5/31 vs England (Final) - Match-winning spell
• Player of the Match (Final) - Contributed with both bat & ball

His all-round brilliance drew comparisons with Hardik Pandya and Yuvraj Singh.

3. Domestic Career & Rise in Indian Cricket

After the U19 WC, Bawa was picked by Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2022 but didn't get many opportunities.

Domestic Stats (2022-2024):

Format	Matches	Runs	Wickets	Best
List A	18	412	24	112 & 4/35
T20s	22	298	16	68* & 3/22
First-Class	10	387	19	89 & 5/40

His consistent performances earned him a Mumbai Indians (MI) contract for IPL 2025, where he is expected to replace Rohit Sharma in the middle order.

4. IPL 2025 - Mumbai Indians' Secret Weapon?

With Hardik Pandya leading MI, Bawa could be the perfect all-rounder replacement.

Why MI Picked Him?

• Power-hitting ability (Strike Rate: 145+ in T20s)
• Handy medium-pace bowler (Economy: ~7.5)
• Fielding dynamism (Strong arm, agile in the outfield)

Experts believe he could be MI's long-term finisher, similar to how Pandya rose under Rohit's captaincy.

5. Playing Style & Strengths

• Batting: Aggressive middle-order hitter, strong on the leg side
• Bowling: Seam movement, deceptive slower balls
• Fielding: Athletic, sharp reflexes

Weakness: Needs more consistency in longer formats.

6. Future Prospects - India Cap Soon?

If Bawa performs well in IPL 2025, he could be in contention for:

• T20 World Cup 2026
• India A tours
• National team debut by 2026

His all-round skills make him a strong candidate for India's future white-ball teams.

7. Raj Bawa's Records & Stats

Key Achievements:

• 🏆 U19 World Cup 2022 Winner
• 🔥 162* (Highest score by Indian in U19 WC)
• 🎯 5/31 in U19 WC Final (vs England)
• 📈 Fastest Himachal Pradesh player to 300 List A runs

IPL Career (2025 - MI): (Upcoming)

• Expected to bat at No. 5/6
• Could bowl 2-3 overs per match

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is Raj Bawa related to an Olympic gold medalist?

✅ Yes, his grandfather Tarlochan Singh Bawa won gold in 1948 London Olympics (Hockey).

Q2. Why is Raj Bawa compared to Hardik Pandya?

Both are aggressive all-rounders who bowl medium pace and bat explosively in the middle order.

Q3. Which IPL team bought Raj Bawa in 2025?

Mumbai Indians (MI) signed him as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma.

Q4. What is Raj Bawa's highest score?

162* (U19 World Cup vs Uganda, 2022) - Highest by an Indian in U19 WC history.

Q5. When will Raj Bawa make his India debut?

If he performs well in IPL 2025, he could debut for India in 2026.

Conclusion - The Next Big Thing in Indian Cricket?

Raj Angad Bawa has all the ingredients to become India's next superstar all-rounder. With MI backing him in IPL 2025, this could be his breakthrough season. If he maintains his form, we might soon see him in Team India's jersey.

Will Raj Bawa be the next Hardik Pandya? Only time will tell, but the future looks bright! 🌟

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