UTCA players Harnoor, Raj in World Cup U-19 squad

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19

It was a moment to remember for friends Harnoor Singh and Raj Angad Bawa when they received confirmation of representing India in the upcoming Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Interestingly, both are from the third generation of their families to make headlines in the world of sports.

The World Cup is scheduled to be played in the West Indies from January 14 to February 5. The 14th edition of the tournament will see 16 teams competing for the trophy in 48 matches.

Harnoor and Angad, registered with the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh, have been playing together since the age of 13.

The duo was earlier representing Punjab till the time Chandigarh got the BCCI affiliation. With their selection, they have now become the first from Chandigarh (after affiliation) to represent the nation in U-19 World Cup.

“It’s like a dream come true for me. However, it’s just the first step. I am looking forward to giving my best. The past few years have been good for me and I have performed well. I wish to carry forward the same in the coming World Cup and many tournaments ahead,” said all-rounder Angad. He said, “Being an all-rounder is definitely an advantage as I can play dual role. My family has supported me in this journey and I am happy to make them proud,” said Angad, a fast bowler and attacking left-handed batsman. He is the son of a renowned cricket coach Sukhwinder Bawa and grandson of hockey Olympian Tarlochan Bawa, who was a member of the team that won gold at London in 1948. “I take the honour of carrying forward the legacy,” added Angad, who was in the India B team for the triangular one-day series.

Coming from cricketers’ family

Expertise on improving skills comes directly from the family for right-hand opener Harnoor, who is deemed as India’s next opener, as his father Birinder Singh had represented the Punjab U-19 team while his grandfather Rajinder Singh was also involved in the game. He honed his skills under his uncle, a Ranji player. “It’s a new innings of my life, I must say a turning point. I am eager to grab it by using the best of my strengths. It was a dream to live up to my family’s expectations. They are very happy,” said Harnoor, who scored 412 runs (highest), including three centuries, in the U-19 Challenger Trophy and got selected for India A team for the triangular one-day series. “I had a good domestic season and this selection is the result of my latest performance. Three consecutive centuries and hitting a maximum number of boundaries in the Challenger Trophy helped me get selectors’ attention,” said Harnoor. “He is going to shine in the world cricket. Since his childhood, he was dreaming to get this opportunity,” said Harnoor’s coach Harjinder Singh Pannu.