Raj Bawa and Angkrish Raghuvanshi smashed fine centuries as India recorded their second-highest score in an Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup match to crush Uganda by a massive 326 runs, as the four-time champions went through as group winners to the Super League of the ICC U-19 World Cup at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Sunday (IST).
Chasing 405, Uganda kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and in the end, the side was bowled out for 79 inside 20 overs.
Interestingly, Raj Bawa played an unbeaten knock of 162 runs which came of just 108 balls. The unbeaten knock helped him register the highest individual score by an Indian batter in the U19 World Cup, thus surpassing India opener Shikhar Dhawan who had scored 155 runs against Scotland in the 2004 edition of the tournament.
Here’s all you need to know about record-breaker Raj Bawa:
Raj is a big fan of Yuvraj Singh and idolises the former India cricketer. He even dons the jersey number 12 due to Yuvi, who used to wear the same jersey number for India. After the sensation performance against Uganda, Raj said: "I am very happy. I want to contribute in both forms of the game. I have met Yuvraj Singh who is my idol and have taken autographs.”
Raj’s father Sukhwinder Bawa is a cricket coach and he has sharpen the skills of several players, including the likes of former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and pacer VRV Singh. (Pic credit: Indian Express)
Raj is a fast bowling all-rounder who was born on November 12, 2002. He hails from Nahan in Himachal Pradesh.
Raj Bawa’s late grandfather Tarlochan Bawa was a member of the Indian Hockey team that won the 1948 Olympic Games in the United Kingdom. Tarlochan scored two goals in the 1948 Olympics; one in the 4-0 win over Great Britain in the final, earning Independent India its first gold medal. (Pic credit: Indian Express)
Interestingly, Raj is a southpaw when it comes to batting but he bowls with his right arm. He switched his batting stance after watching his idol Yuvraj Singh.