Raj Angad Bawa was solely 5 when he misplaced his grandfather, Tarlochan Bawa, a member of the Indian Hockey workforce that gained the 1948 Olympic Video games in the UK.
Raj Angad, 19, has the faintest reminiscence of his late grandfather – the night stroll of their yard in Chandigarh.
“I don’t have many fond reminiscences of my grandfather as a result of I used to be a child when he died. However I’ve heard his tales from my grandmother and my father, which is able to stick with me endlessly,” Raj Angad Bawa instructed The Indian Specific from Tarouba in Trinidad and Tobago, earlier than their ultimate group B match in opposition to Uganda on the ongoing ICC Males’s U-19 World Cup.
Tarlochan scored two targets within the 1948 Olympics; one within the 4-0 win over Nice Britain within the ultimate, incomes Unbiased India its first gold medal.
“At any time when I see that gold medal, it offers me goosebumps, I can solely think about how necessary achievement it should have been, again then,” stated Raj.
Although Raj has only a few reminiscences of his grandfather, he has seen his father Sukhwinder Bawa hone the abilities of a number of cricketers, together with the likes of former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and pacer VRV Singh.
Raj Angad Bawa (in centre) together with his grandfather Tarlochan Bawa (left) and father Sukhwinder Bawa. Tarlochan Bawa was member of 1948 Hockey workforce, whereas Raj’s father coached Yuvraj Singh. (Particular association)
“I’m proud to be a Bawa. Taking part in an element in carrying such a wealthy legacy ahead is an honour, however on the identical time, I all the time knew I’ve huge sneakers to fill. I simply hope I’d do justice to my household title.’
Raj, a fast-bowling all-rounder, has not put a foot unsuitable on the U-19 World Cup. He bagged a four-wicket haul in opposition to South Africa within the first match and adopted it with a artful 42 in opposition to Eire. Raj saved his greatest in opposition to Uganda, smashing a 108-ball 162, together with 14 fours and eight sixes. Throughout that innings, he grew to become the very best particular person scorer in a single innings for India, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s 155 in opposition to Scotland in Dhaka on the 2004 U-19 World Cup.
Curiously, Raj bowls together with his proper arm however is a southpaw batter. He switched his batting stance after watching Yuvraj Singh from shut corners.
“I used to observe Yuvraj practise at my father’s teaching centre. After I first picked up the bat perhaps I used to be making an attempt to mimic him, and it caught with me,” stated Raj, who idolises Yuvraj Singh, and dons the identical jersey quantity 12.
Raj Angad with Yuvraj Singh and father Sukhwinder Singh.. (Particular association)
“I picked up No 12 due to a number of causes. My late grandfather’s birthday is on February 12. My idol Yuvraj additionally used to put on jersey No 12, as his birthday is on December 12. I rejoice my birthday on November 12,” stated Raj.
Rising up, theatre and dance took priority over cricket.
“He was by no means into the cricket. I had given up all of the hopes. I believed, he’ll turn out to be an actor,” remembers father Sukhwinder.
Raj’s love affair with cricket began when he first visited the Dharamshala stadium together with his father.
“I used to be a coach, and we had been taking part in some native tournaments. After our observe on the Dharamshala Stadium, he got here to me and stated, ‘Dad, I need to turn out to be a cricketer.’ That was the happiest day of my life,” remembers Sukhwinder.
Sukhwinder performed hockey for Haryana junior workforce and was even chosen for India U-19 camp in 1988. His dream of taking part in cricket ended on account of a slipped disc damage, and on the age of twenty-two, he grew to become a coach.
“I used to be posted on the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram after I first noticed Raj bowling tempo. He should be 11. What impressed me was that he bagged 5 wickets within the first match, bowling with the leather-based ball. I used to be thrilled,” stated the 54-year-old.
“For a yr, I labored on his touchdown ft. His motion was a bit damage susceptible, and as soon as it was fastened, I instructed him ‘pay attention, it’s time your bowling takes a again seat, and also you focus in your batting’”.
Raj, who calls himself a real all-rounder, credit his father for his improvement.
“My father knew about my cricket. He one way or the other knew that quick bowling got here naturally to me, so he needed to give attention to my batting. Initially, I used to be centered solely on batting and began bowling off-spin.
“I began bowling quick once more within the Punjab U-16 Vijay Service provider Trophy camp. I by no means instructed him that I’d began bowling quick once more, however I finally obtained caught,” he stated.
Sukhwinder feels his son can turn out to be a very good all-rounder, however he should stay disciplined.
“I used to be a scholar of DP Azad, his mantra of teaching was self-discipline and punctuality. Azad sir used to hate if somebody would flip up late through the coaching session. I’ve picked up this stuff from Azad sir and had instilled his precious classes into Raj’s cricket. Hopefully, he’ll stay centered and can characterize the senior nationwide workforce for a very long time,” he stated.
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