Raj Bawa: The Indian white-ball All-rounder for the future

Raj Bawa and the Indian Under 19 cricket team have continued to maintain the standards of the nation’s cricketing history and have won the ICC 2022 U-19 World Cup against England by four wickets. The men in blue have now won five U-19 World Cup titles so far. The left-arm pace bowler Bawa, showed his class and worth in yesterday’s final by taking a match-winning 5 wickets at the expense of just 31 runs in the first innings. His performance from the bat was something to watch as well as he was the man who gave India the momentum they needed in the chase with a 54 ball 35 run batting spell.

If the batsman would have been able to see out the run chase himself, it would have certainly been a sporting moment to remember for the young man. However, he was awarded the Player of the Match trophy for his scintillating display in the final.

The Indian team got off to a brilliant start with their bowling attack and managed to bowl out the England team on 189 runs. The total could’ve been even lower if it wasn’t for James Rew’s brilliant knock of 95 runs. However, the Indian batting innings couldn’t have started in a worse way than it did as the England bowlers managed to pick two wickets in quick succession which eventually led to the drain in India’s confidence levels.

Then came Nishant Sandhu who displayed a different level of understanding and maturity in his game and gave the chase good momentum with his 50 runs off 54 balls.  Another half-century by Shaik Rasheed put the Indian team on a cruising track for the win. Later, Dinesh Bana finished it off in style with a six which reminded many fans of the historic 2011 World Cup win as well. It seems like the Indians has got themselves a future star in the name of Raj Bawa. VVS Laxman has been impressed with the youngster so far and might recommend Rahul Dravid to include the talented 19-year-old in the future Indian squads. The U-19 team has given us many stars in the past as well so, it won’t be a surprise if you will see Raj’s name on the back of an India first-team jersey in some time. Playing for the Indian team runs in his blood as well as he is the grandson of Late Tarlochan Bawa, who was a former Indian Hockey player. He scored 2 goals in the Olympic Hockey final against Great Britain in the 1948 London Olympics as well.