Raj Angad Bawa

Raj Angad Bawa completed his primary and secondary schooling in Chandigarh, where his family relocated to provide him with better sporting opportunities.

Balancing his academic requirements with rigorous training schedules, he spent his formative years at local cricket academies, receiving extensive coaching from his father before transitioning entirely into professional cricket.

Raj Angad Bawa's professional career officially took flight on the domestic circuit, but it was his phenomenal run in junior cricket that truly set him apart. Representing the India national under-19 cricket team, he was a vital component of the squad that won the 2021 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup in the UAE. However, his defining moment arrived a few months later at the 2022 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup held in the West Indies, where he emerged as a genuine match-winner.

During the U-19 World Cup, he shattered records by scoring an unbeaten 162 against Uganda. This monumental innings surpassed Shikhar Dhawan's record for the highest individual score by an Indian in the history of the tournament. He concluded the campaign with 252 runs at an average of 63 and claimed nine wickets. His standout performance came in the final against England, where he took a historic 5/31 and contributed a crucial 35 runs, rightfully earning the Player of the Match award.

His phenomenal World Cup exploits immediately triggered a bidding war in the 2022 IPL mega auction, resulting in the Punjab Kings securing his services for a lucrative INR 2 crore. While his initial opportunities in the IPL were limited, the experience of sharing the dressing room with international stalwarts proved invaluable. He made his Twenty20 debut for the Punjab Kings in March 2022, showcasing glimpses of his explosive potential.

In domestic cricket, Bawa made headlines during his first-class debut for Chandigarh in February 2022. Playing against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy, he achieved the rare feat of taking a wicket with his very first delivery in first-class cricket. He continued to build his domestic profile, participating in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali tournaments, constantly working on adding variations to his bowling and power to his batting.

Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, he moved to the Mumbai Indians (MI), where he was retained for the 2026 campaign. During the 2026 season, he found himself in high-pressure situations, notably being trusted by stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav to bowl the final over in a crucial, tense match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Although MI was eliminated following a dramatic finish, the leadership's faith in the 23-year-old all-rounder highlighted his growing maturity and importance within the franchise.

Raj Angad Bawa was born in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, into a family with a remarkably rich sporting pedigree. His father, Sukhwinder Singh Bawa, is a highly respected cricket coach who famously trained legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh during his formative years. Sukhwinder's meticulous guidance and strict discipline played a foundational role in shaping Raj's technique and work ethic from the age of 11.

His sporting heritage extends even further back, as he is the grandson of the late Tarlochan Singh Bawa. Tarlochan was a celebrated member of the Indian field hockey team that won the historic gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics. Raj has often spoken about the profound inspiration he draws from his grandfather's Olympic medal, which remains a treasured family heirloom and a constant reminder of the heights of sporting excellence.

Off the field, Raj leads a focused and disciplined lifestyle, dedicating the majority of his time to fitness and skill refinement. Despite the early fame and lucrative IPL contracts, he maintains a grounded personality, frequently acknowledging the sacrifices his family made for his career. In his leisure time, he enjoys following various other sports and staying connected with his close-knit circle of friends in Chandigarh.