Raj Angad Bawa was solely 5 years outdated when he misplaced his grandfather, Tarlochan Bawa, a member of the Indian hockey staff that received the 1948 Olympic Games within the United Kingdom.
Raj Angad, 19, has the fondest reminiscence of his late grandfather – a night stroll in his yard in Chandigarh.
“I don’t have very good memories about my grandfather because I was a kid when he died. But I have heard their stories from my grandmother and my father, who will always be with me,” Raj Angad Bawa informed The Indian Express from Tarouba in Trinidad and Tobago, his closing Group B match towards Uganda within the ongoing ICC Men’s U. earlier than. 19 World Cup.
Tarlochan scored two objectives within the 1948 Olympics; In a 4–0 victory over Great Britain within the closing, unbiased India bought its first gold medal.
“Whenever I look at that gold medal, I go to my head, I can only imagine what a significant achievement it must have been,” Raj mentioned.
Even although Raj has only a few reminiscences of his grandfather, he has seen his father Sukhwinder Bawa hone the talents of a number of cricketers, together with former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and pacer VRV Singh.
Raj Angad Bawa (heart) along with his grandfather Tarlochan Bawa (left) and father Sukhwinder Bawa. Tarlochan Bawa was a member of the 1948 hockey staff, whereas Raj’s father coached Yuvraj Singh. (particular association)
“I’m proud to be a Bawa. It is an honor to have performed a job in carrying ahead such a wealthy legacy, however on the similar time, I all the time knew I had large sneakers to fill. I stay up for serving to my household I’ll do justice to his title.’
Fast bowling all-rounder Raj has not put a single leg improper within the Under-19 World Cup. He took 4 wickets within the first match towards South Africa after which went on to attain 42 runs towards Ireland. Raj performed his finest protection towards Uganda, hitting 162 off 108 balls, which included 14 fours and eight sixes. During that innings, he turned the best particular person scorer in an innings for India, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s 155 towards Scotland within the 2004 Under-19 World Cup in Dhaka.
Interestingly, Raj bowls along with his proper hand however is a southeast batsman. After watching Yuvraj Singh carefully, he modified his batting stance.
“I used to watch Yuvraj practice at my father’s coaching centre. When I first picked up the bat I was probably trying to imitate him, and he stuck with me,” mentioned Raj, who adores Yuvraj Singh, and wears the identical jersey quantity 12.
Raj Angad with Yuvraj Singh and father Sukhwinder Singh.. (Special Arrangement)
“I chose number 12 for several reasons. My late grandfather’s birthday is on 12th February. My idol Yuvraj also used to wear jersey number 12 as his birthday is on 12th December. I celebrate my birthday on November 12,” mentioned Raj.
Growing up, theater and dance took priority over cricket.
“He was by no means into cricket. I had given up all hope. I assumed, he would turn into an actor, ”recollects father Sukhwinder.
Raj’s love for cricket began when he first went to the Dharamsala stadium along with his father.
“I was a coach, and we were playing some local tournaments. After our practice at the Dharamsala stadium, he came up to me and said, ‘Dad, I want to be a cricketer.’ That was the happiest day of my life,” recollects Sukhwinder.
Sukhwinder performed hockey for the Haryana junior staff and was additionally chosen for the India Under-19 camp in 1988. His dream of enjoying cricket ended as a consequence of a slip disc harm and he turned a coach on the age of twenty-two.
“I was posted at Tau Devilal Stadium in Gurugram when I first saw Raj’s bowling speed. He will be 11 years old. What impressed me was that he took five wickets in the first match bowling with the leather ball. I was thrilled,” mentioned the 54-year-old.
“For a yr, I labored on his touchdown legs. His motion was a bit injured, and as soon as it healed, I informed him, ‘Listen, it is time to again off your bowling, and focus in your batting’.
Raj, who describes himself as an actual all-rounder, credit his improvement to his father.
“My father knew about my cricket. He by some means knew that quick bowling comes naturally to me, so he needed to deal with my batting. Initially my focus was solely on batting and I began bowling off-spin.
“I started fast bowling again at the Punjab Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy camp. I never told him that I would start bowling fast again, but I was caught eventually,” he mentioned.
Sukhwinder feels that his son generally is a good all-rounder, however he ought to stay disciplined.
“I used to be a pupil of DP Azad, his teaching mantra was once self-discipline and punctuality. Azad sir hated if somebody was late throughout the coaching session. I’ve taken these items from Azad sir and taught him worthwhile classes in Raj’s cricket. It is anticipated that he’ll preserve his focus and signify the senior nationwide staff for a very long time.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
