Raj Bawa

Raj Angad Bawa is an Indian pace-bowling all-rounder who represents Chandigarh and Mumbai Indians. A left-handed batter who bowls right-arm medium pace, Bawa first captured global attention during India’s triumphant campaign at the 2022 ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he produced one of the most remarkable all-round performances in youth cricket history. Known for his clean ball-striking and ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs with the ball, Bawa has steadily transitioned from youth stardom to the senior domestic circuit while continuing to develop as a versatile all-round option in professional cricket. Raj Angad Bawa Early Life and Background Raj Angad Bawa was born on 12 November 2002 in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, before growing up in Chandigarh, where his cricketing journey took shape. He comes from a family with a strong sporting heritage. His grandfather, Tarlochan Singh Bawa, was part of the legendary Indian hockey team that won Olympic gold at the 1948 London Games, giving Raj early exposure to elite sport. Cricketing influence also came from his father, Sukhwinder Singh Bawa, a well-known coach who trained several international players, including Yuvraj Singh. Watching Yuvraj train at his father’s academy had a profound impact on the young cricketer—despite being naturally right-handed, Raj switched to batting left-handed after admiring Yuvraj’s style. He later adopted the number 12 jersey as a tribute to his idol. Raj Angad Bawa Domestic Career Raj Angad Bawa began his First-Class journey in memorable fashion when he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Chandigarh against Hyderabad at Cuttack. The young all-rounder immediately grabbed attention by taking a wicket with the very first ball he bowled in First-Class cricket, a rare achievement that highlighted his natural ability as a seam-bowling all-rounder. Since then, Bawa has gradually established himself as a dependable contributor for Chandigarh in the longer format. Raj Angad Bawa Under-19 Career Bawa emerged as one of the standout performers in youth cricket while representing India at the Under-19 level. His defining moment came during the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's record fifth title. During the tournament, Bawa produced a historic innings of 162 not out against Uganda, breaking Shikhar Dhawan’s long-standing record (155) for the highest score by an Indian in the Under-19 World Cup. He followed that with a sensational all-round display in the final against England, claiming 5 wickets for 31 runs, becoming the first Indian to take a five-wicket haul in an ICC tournament final at the U-19 level. Raj Angad Bawa’s IPL Career Raj Bawa’s success at the Under-19 World Cup quickly attracted IPL franchises, and he was signed by Punjab Kings for INR 2 crore in the 2022 IPL auction. He made his IPL debut on 27 March 2022 against RCB Although he featured in only a couple of matches during his stint with Punjab Kings, the experience of sharing a dressing room with international stars helped accelerate his development. After a short gap from the league, Bawa returned to the IPL when Mumbai Indians signed him for INR 30 lakh ahead of the 2025 season. He remained part of the MI squad for the IPL 2026. (As of June 2026)