Raj Angad Bawa was once simplest 5 when he misplaced his grandfather, Tarlochan Bawa, a member of the Indian Hockey group that gained the 1948 Olympic Video games in the UK.
Raj Angad, 19, has the faintest reminiscence of his past due grandfather – the night time walk of their yard in Chandigarh.
“I don’t have many fond recollections 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 eternally,” Raj Angad Bawa informed The Indian Specific from Tarouba in Trinidad and Tobago, prior to their ultimate workforce B fit towards Uganda on the ongoing ICC Males’s U-19 Global 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.
“Every time I see that gold medal, it offers me goosebumps, I will simplest believe how essential fulfillment it should were, again then,” mentioned Raj.
Despite the fact that Raj has only a few recollections of his grandfather, he has observed 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 once member of 1948 Hockey group, whilst Raj’s father coached Yuvraj Singh. (Particular association)
“I’m proud to be a Bawa. Taking part in a component in sporting this sort of wealthy legacy ahead is an honour, however on the similar time, I at all times knew I’ve giant footwear to fill. I simply hope I’d do justice to my circle of relatives identify.’
Raj, a fast-bowling all-rounder, has now not put a foot improper on the U-19 Global Cup. He bagged a four-wicket haul towards South Africa within the first fit and adopted it with a cunning 42 towards Eire. Raj stored his easiest towards Uganda, smashing a 108-ball 162, together with 14 fours and 8 sixes. Right through that innings, he was the very best particular person scorer in one innings for India, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s 155 towards Scotland in Dhaka on the 2004 U-19 Global Cup.
Apparently, Raj bowls together with his proper arm however is a southpaw batter. He switched his batting stance after gazing Yuvraj Singh from shut corners.
“I used to look at Yuvraj practise at my father’s training centre. After I first picked up the bat possibly I used to be looking to imitate him, and it caught with me,” mentioned Raj, who idolises Yuvraj Singh, and dons the similar jersey quantity 12.
Raj Angad with Yuvraj Singh and father Sukhwinder Singh.. (Particular association)
“I picked up No 12 as a result of a number of causes. My past due grandfather’s birthday is on February 12. My idol Yuvraj extensively utilized to put on jersey No 12, as his birthday is on December 12. I have a good time my birthday on November 12,” mentioned Raj.
Rising up, theatre and dance took priority over cricket.
“He was once by no means into the cricket. I had given up all of the hopes. I believed, he’s going to grow to be an actor,” recollects 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 trainer, and we had been taking part in some native tournaments. After our observe on the Dharamshala Stadium, he got here to me and mentioned, ‘Dad, I wish to grow to be a cricketer.’ That was once the happiest day of my lifestyles,” recollects Sukhwinder.
Sukhwinder performed hockey for Haryana junior group and was once even decided on for India U-19 camp in 1988. His dream of taking part in cricket ended because of a slipped disc damage, and on the age of twenty-two, he was a trainer.
“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 inspired me was once that he bagged 5 wickets within the first fit, bowling with the leather-based ball. I used to be extremely joyful,” mentioned the 54-year-old.
“For a 12 months, I labored on his touchdown toes. His motion was once somewhat damage inclined, and as soon as it was once mounted, I informed him ‘pay attention, it’s time your bowling takes a again seat, and also you focal point for your batting’”.
Raj, who calls himself a real all-rounder, credit his father for his building.
“My father knew about my cricket. He by hook or by crook knew that immediate bowling got here naturally to me, so he sought after to concentrate on my batting. To start with, I used to be targeted simplest on batting and began bowling off-spin.
“I began bowling immediate once more within the Punjab U-16 Vijay Service provider Trophy camp. I by no means informed him that I’d began bowling immediate once more, however I ultimately were given stuck,” he mentioned.
Sukhwinder feels his son can grow to be a excellent all-rounder, however he should stay disciplined.
“I used to be a scholar of DP Azad, his mantra of training was self-discipline and punctuality. Azad sir used to hate if any individual would flip up past due all through the learning consultation. I’ve picked up these items from Azad sir and had instilled his treasured classes into Raj’s cricket. Optimistically, he’s going to stay targeted and can constitute the senior nationwide group for a very long time,” he mentioned.