Raj Angad Bawa

Raj Angad Bawa

Role: All-rounder
DOB: 12 November 2002
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: INR 20 Lakhs (2022 Auction)

The Story of Raj Angad Bawa

Raj Angad Bawa burst onto the scene with a swagger and a smile, a genuine all-round talent whose name became synonymous with India’s triumphant 2022 U19 World Cup campaign. Born in the cricketing hotbed of Himachal Pradesh, Bawa hails from a family steeped in sports; his grandfather, Tarlochan Singh Bawa, was an Olympic gold medalist in hockey. It was this sporting DNA, combined with his father Sukhwinder Singh Bawa’s coaching, that forged a cricketer with both flair and substance. Raj’s journey to the IPL was propelled by a series of breathtaking performances in the U19 World Cup, culminating in a Player of the Match performance in the final against England, where he scalped an incredible 5/31 and followed it up with a crucial 35 runs.

His heroics in the Caribbean, particularly his record-breaking 162* against Uganda and that final five-wicket haul, painted him as the quintessential modern all-rounder – a left-handed power-hitter capable of clearing boundaries and a right-arm medium-pacer who could chip in with vital breakthroughs. This dual threat made him one of the most sought-after youngsters in the IPL 2022 mega-auction. Punjab Kings, recognizing his immense potential and the rare combination of skills, shelled out a hefty INR 2 Crore, a significant jump from his base price, hoping he would be their long-term solution in the middle order and with the ball.

However, the transition from U19 stardom to the unforgiving glare of the IPL proved challenging. Bawa featured in just two matches for Punjab Kings in the 2022 season, failing to register a single run from two innings and bowling just one over for 10 runs without a wicket. The high expectations, coupled with limited opportunities and the sheer intensity of the league, meant his IPL debut didn’t quite mirror his U19 glory. Despite the initial setback, Bawa remains a player with raw talent and a strong domestic circuit presence, constantly honing his craft and waiting for his next big break.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Raj Angad Bawa’s IPL journey, though brief, began with a bang at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Following his sensational performances in the U19 World Cup, where he was instrumental in India’s title win, he entered the auction with a base price of INR 20 Lakhs. A fierce bidding war ensued, primarily between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings, with the latter eventually securing his services for a substantial INR 2 Crore. This marked his only stint with an IPL franchise to date.

During his time with Punjab Kings in 2022, Bawa was seen as a promising future prospect. He made his IPL debut on March 27, 2022, against Royal Challengers Bangalore. He played two matches that season, but unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate his U19 form. In his two innings, he was dismissed for ducks, facing a total of just two balls. With the ball, he bowled a solitary over across both games, conceding 10 runs without picking up a wicket. The team management, perhaps looking for more immediate impact or different combinations, did not feature him further that season.

Following the 2022 season, Raj Angad Bawa was released by Punjab Kings. He went unsold in the subsequent IPL auctions (2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026), indicating that franchises are currently prioritizing more experienced or proven performers for their all-rounder slots. While his IPL career has been short-lived, his age and undeniable talent suggest that a return to the league is not out of the question if he can consistently perform in domestic cricket and refine his game.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

From a betting perspective, Raj Angad Bawa currently represents a high-risk, high-reward proposition, largely due to his limited IPL exposure and unproven senior-level consistency. However, his U19 pedigree offers a glimpse into what he *could* be, making him a player to watch if he ever gets another IPL opportunity.

Strengths for Betting: Bawa’s primary strength lies in his all-round potential. As a left-handed batsman, he has shown the ability to accelerate quickly, making him a potential candidate for “Most Sixes” or “Player to Score 20+ runs” bets if he’s given a sustained run in the middle order. His right-arm medium pace, especially with his knack for picking up crucial wickets in high-pressure situations (as seen in the U19 WC final), could make him an interesting punt for “Player to Take a Wicket” or “Top Bowler” in specific, lower-stakes matches where teams might experiment. His big-match temperament from the U19 stage suggests he might not crumble under pressure if he finds his rhythm.

Weaknesses for Betting: The glaring weakness is his lack of IPL experience and the inability to translate his U19 success into the senior league. His IPL career stats are currently zero runs and zero wickets, which means there’s no historical data to back consistent performance. Bettors would be essentially betting on potential rather than proven form. He might struggle against high-quality pace and spin, and his bowling economy could be a concern on flat IPL tracks. His current status as unsold also means he’s not an active betting option for IPL 2026.

Conditions & Matchups: If Bawa were to return, he might thrive on pitches that offer a little assistance to medium-pacers, allowing him to use his variations. As a batsman, he could be effective against slower bowlers or in situations where the field is spread, allowing him to pick gaps. However, without more data, specific matchups are speculative. For now, he’s a “wait and watch” player for any future IPL opportunities. If he gets picked up and given a few games, look for signs of confidence and adaptation before placing significant bets.

Key Records & Milestones

• U19 World Cup Final Hero: Recorded the best bowling figures in a U19 World Cup final (5/31) against England in 2022, a performance that earned him the Player of the Match award.
• Record-Breaking Batting: Scored 162* against Uganda in the 2022 U19 World Cup, which was the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in U19 World Cup history at the time.
• Elite All-Rounder Club: Only Indian player to achieve both a 150+ score and a 5-wicket haul in the history of the U19 World Cup.
• Million-Dollar Baby (INR): Secured a lucrative contract worth INR 2 Crore from Punjab Kings in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction, a testament to the high expectations surrounding his talent.

IPL Season Highlights

Raj Angad Bawa’s IPL journey has been incredibly brief, limited to the 2022 season with Punjab Kings. Unfortunately, he did not register any significant individual highlights or standout performances during his two appearances. His debut season saw him get dismissed for ducks in both his batting innings and bowl a single over for 10 runs without picking up a wicket. While the anticipation around his entry into the league was immense, fueled by his U19 World Cup heroics, the IPL stage proved to be a tough nut to crack in his initial outing. As of IPL 2026, he remains unsold, patiently waiting for another opportunity to showcase the all-round talent that once made him one of the most exciting young prospects in Indian cricket.