IPL Auction 2022: Excited to share dressing room with Shikhar Dhawan, says Raj Angad Bawa | Cricket News – Times of India

CHANDIGARH: Raj Angad Bawa’s record breaking performance at the recently-concluded Under-19 World Cup final against England in Antigua not only caught the attention of the nation but kept many IPL teams hunting for a pace-bowling all-round option, interested, on the second day of the mega auction in Bengaluru.
The Chandigarh teenager entered the auction at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, but soon witnessed his price tag swelling as Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings were locked in a keen battle. The Punjab Kings had the last laugh, acquiring the all-rounder for Rs 2 crore.
IPL AUCTION: AS IT HAPPENED
A hard-hitting southpaw and a crafty right-arm medium pacer, Raj was one of the finds of India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup campaign, returning with nine wickets and 252 runs from six matches. He saved his best for the summit clash against the English colts, claiming a five-for to guide India to the title.
Co-incidentally, Raj Angad will share the Punjab Kings dressing room with Shikhar Dhawan, whose long-standing record of the highest individual score by an Indian in the U-19 World Cup was recently shattered by the Chandigarh youngster. A Covid-hit India U19 team faced Uganda in a group match and Raj rewrote the record books by smashing an unbeaten 162 off 108 deliveries, to eclipse Dhawan’s 155 against Kenya at the 2004 U19 World Cup.
“Excited to meet him (Shikhar Dhawan) and see if he knows about it. I have always looked up to him and sharing the dressing room with him would be a great experience,” a delighted Rajangad told TOI after being picked by Punjab Kings.

Bawa’s performance prompted the UT Cricket Association to include him in the Chandigarh squad for the Ranji Trophy, and the teenager is now with the Manan Vohra-led outfit in Cuttack under mandatory quarantine. The Chandigarh team is in Elite Group B of the Ranji Trophy, along with Bengal, Hyderabad and Baroda.
Sport runs deep in Raj’s family. His grandfather, Tarlochan Singh Bawa was a key member of the 1948 Olympic gold-winning Indian team, while his father Sukhwinder Singh Bawa trained 2011 World Cup Man of the Tournament, Yuvraj Singh during his formative years.
“I am not concerned about the price tag. He has gone one step ahead after the World Cup performance. The real test for him as a cricketer comes now. Being a part of any IPL side is a learning curve for any youngster, and for Raj in particular, who better than a coach like Anil Kumble, fielding coach like Jonty Rhodes, and seniors like Shikhar Dhawan would a youngster expect,” Sukhwinder told TOI.
“I am happy that he was picked by the Punjab Kings side, as that keeps him in familiar territory and as a coach and father, I hope he performs to the best of his abilities. My best wishes to the team for the upcoming season,” he added.

Heartbreak for Harnoor
Chandigarh batsman Harnoor Singh Pannu, who was Raj’s teammate at the World Cup, however did not find any takers at the IPL mega auction.
The Jalandhar-born left-handed batter was the highest run-scorer for India at the U19 Asia Cup held in the UAE and went on to become the Player of the Series. He smashed a century in a practice match against Australia at the U19 World Cup, but it was his spectacular knock of 88 against Ireland that earned him instant fame. He had earlier slammed three centuries during the U-19 Challenger Trophy.
Harnoor took up cricket at the age of eight in Jalandhar and later shifted base to Chandigarh to train under his uncle Harjinder Singh Pannu. His uncle is hopeful that the youngster’s hard work won’t go unnoticed.