Who is Raj Bawa? Mumbai Indians’ Young All-Rounder with a Golden Sporting Legacy

Know Raj Angad Bawa, Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder—U-19 World Cup star, IPL talent, and grandson of Olympic gold medallist Trilochan Singh Bawa.

Raj Bawa (Image Source: Google)

For its IPL 2026 opener against Kolkata Knight Riders, the impact subs named by Mumbai Indians were: Surya Kumar Yadav, Corbin Bosch, Robin Minz, Raj Bawa and Ashwani Kumar. Who is this Raj Bawa?

Raj Angad Bawa, a young cricketer from Chandigarh, is a seam-bowling all-rounder (left-handed batting and right-arm medium-fast bowling). He was one of the stars of India’s successful 2022 ICC U19 World Cup campaign. He smashed 162* against Uganda (the highest score of the event). It also became the highest individual score by any Indian at the U-19 World Cup, surpassing Sheikh Dhawan’s previous record of 155 from 2004. He then claimed a historic match-winning 5/31 in the final against England. This was the best bowling performance in a U-19 World Cup final.

It didn’t take him long to begin his IPL journey as Punjab Kings secured him in the 2022 auction for Rs.2 crore after an intense bidding war. However, his tenure with them was marked by limited opportunities (he scored 11 runs in two outings in the 2022 season and was not used as a bowler) and injury and was released prior to the 2024 auction.

Ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction, Mumbai Indians got him for Rs. 30 lacs. Although he scored 8* in the single outing in the three matches played (and was not used as a bowler), the team continued to place their faith in the left-hander and retained him for IPL 2026. This has given him another opportunity to share the dressing room with some of the finest T20 cricketers to polish his skills at the highest level.

Raj Angad Bawa has another introduction also, as he has an exciting legacy. He is grandson of an Olympic gold medallist, Trilochan Singh Bawa. His playing for India in the ICC U19 World Cup and then IPL has added a chapter of glory to this proud legacy. Not only did his grandfather’s achievement on the Olympic stage serve as an inspiration, he has carried forward a family tradition of sporting excellence. Trilochan Singh Bawa, was part of India's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1948 Olympics in London.

Not only this, his father, Sukhwinder Singh Bawa, is considered among the first coaches of Yuvraj Singh, and in particular, he is often credited for having advised Yuvraj to bowl spin rather than fast. The family nourished the pursuit of sporting excellence. Although Raj didn’t see much of his Olympian grandfather as he lost him at the age of five, it’s natural that Raj Bawa has high hopes riding on him.

Trilochan Singh Bawa: At the London 1948 Olympics hockey final, India defeated England to win gold, by 4-0 and Trilochan Bawa scored one goal, which was his second goal at the Olympics. The 1948 hockey gold is considered as the start of Indian sporting glory as this was the first for India after independence.

Sukhwinder Bawa: He was a renowned cricket coach, moulded India internationals like Yuvraj Singh and VR Singh. He played both hockey and cricket while young, but a spine injury in his 20s, forced him to concentrate on coaching.

Raj Bawa: He has already earned a name for himself with his fine display and played a starring role in India winning the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2022 for a record fifth time. He was born in Nahan (HP) but grew up in Chandigarh. He grew up listening to the stories of his grandfather from his grandmother and father, and they have stayed with him.

‘Whenever I see that gold medal, it gives me goosebumps. I can only imagine how important an achievement it must have been, back then,’ Raj Bawa remembers. This medal has worked as a catalyst for Raj Bawa to live up to the sporting legacy of the family.

Raj joined Sukhwinder’s coaching academy. Yuvraj Singh also trained here and was a hero for Raj. It is believed that Raj became a left-handed bat after watching Yuvraj. The 2022 U-19 World Cup brought success for Raj Bawa (who scored 252 runs and claimed nine wickets in six outings). He plays Ranji Trophy also.

Raj Bawa knows that he has a long way to go as quite a number of players have not been able to carry forward their under-19 success to the highest level, but he has the genes of an Olympic champion in him, so everyone is hopeful of his success.

It will not be out of order to add here that India player Reetinder Singh Sodhi (18 ODIs) is Raj Baba’s cousin. He was also the hero and man of the match during the U-19 World Cup final in 2000, when India beat Sri Lanka.