As the Mumbai Indians (MI) took on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the high-stakes IPL 2025 Eliminator on May 30, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, all eyes were on a new face in the MI lineup: Raj Angad Bawa. The 22-year-old all-rounder from Chandigarh made his debut alongside Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson, stepping into the spotlight for a franchise known for nurturing young talent. But who is Raj Bawa, and what makes him a potential game-changer for MI? Let’s dive into the story of this promising cricketer.
A Star from the 2022 U-19 World Cup
Raj Bawa rose to national prominence during India’s triumphant campaign at the 2022 ICC U-19 World Cup in the West Indies. Born on November 12, 2002, in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, and raised in Chandigarh, Bawa played a pivotal role in India’s title-winning run. His standout performance came in the final against England, where he claimed a remarkable five-wicket haul (5/31), earning the Player of the Match award. His disciplined medium-pace bowling, which swings both ways, complemented his aggressive batting, as evidenced by his whirlwind 162* off 108 balls against Uganda in the same tournament. Overall, Bawa scored 252 runs at an average of 63 and took nine wickets, showcasing his all-round prowess.
His performances at the 2021 ACC Under-19 Asia Cup and the U-19 World Cup caught the attention of IPL scouts, marking him as a future star. Posts on X from the time, including one from @MIPaltanFamily
on December 9, 2024, hailed him as “the next big thing from Mumbai Indians’ talent factory,” a testament to the excitement surrounding his potential.
A Sporting Legacy
Bawa’s cricketing journey is deeply rooted in a family legacy of athletic excellence. His grandfather, Tarlochan Singh, was an Olympic gold medalist in field hockey, part of India’s 1948 London Olympics-winning team. His father, Sukhwinder Bawa, is a respected cricket coach in Chandigarh who introduced Raj to the sport and shaped his early career. Raj’s admiration for Yuvraj Singh, another Chandigarh cricketing legend, is evident in his choice to switch to left-handed batting to emulate his idol and his selection of jersey number 12, a nod to Yuvraj’s birthday (December 12) and his grandfather’s (February 12). This personal connection to his roots adds a layer of relatability to Bawa’s story, making his debut a moment of pride for his family and fans alike.
IPL Journey: From Punjab Kings to Mumbai Indians
Bawa’s IPL journey began in 2022 when Punjab Kings (PBKS) picked him up for INR 2 crore, a significant investment in his raw talent. However, his stint with PBKS was brief, featuring in just two matches where he struggled to make an impact. Released after the season, Bawa faced a two-year hiatus from the IPL, but his domestic performances kept him in the conversation. In February 2022, he made his Ranji Trophy debut for Chandigarh against Hyderabad, taking a wicket with his first delivery—a sign of his knack for delivering in big moments.
Mumbai Indians, known for their sharp eye for talent, acquired Bawa for INR 30 lakh ahead of the 2025 season. His inclusion in the Eliminator playing XI, as announced by MI captain Hardik Pandya at the toss, was a bold move, especially given the absence of key players like Deepak Chahar, Ryan Rickelton, and Will Jacks due to international commitments. Pandya’s decision to hand Bawa a debut in a do-or-die match speaks volumes about the franchise’s faith in his potential.
What Bawa Brings to MI
Bawa, a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, offers MI a versatile skill set. His ability to swing the ball makes him a valuable asset in the powerplay and death overs, while his aggressive batting provides depth in the middle order. In the Eliminator, MI opted to bat first, and Bawa’s inclusion alongside stars like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah suggests he could play a crucial role, either with the bat or as a support bowler to MI’s formidable pace attack led by Bumrah and Trent Boult.
His debut was met with excitement on X, with @CricCrazyJohns
noting on April 4, 2025, that Bawa was making his MI debut, reflecting the buzz around his potential to shine in the iconic blue and gold. However, the pressure of a knockout game against a strong GT side, led by Shubman Gill and boasting bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, will test Bawa’s mettle. GT’s dominance in their head-to-head record, with five wins in seven matches against MI, adds to the challenge.
A High-Stakes Debut
The IPL 2025 Eliminator is a make-or-break moment for both MI and GT, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings and the loser exiting the tournament. Bawa’s debut comes at a critical juncture, with MI eyeing a record sixth IPL title and Rohit Sharma chasing a historic seventh trophy. While Bawa’s role in the match—whether as a batsman stabilizing the middle order or a bowler breaking partnerships—remains to be seen, his U-19 World Cup heroics suggest he thrives under pressure.
As a critic, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement watching a young talent like Bawa step onto the IPL stage. His journey from Chandigarh’s domestic circuits to the bright lights of MI’s dugout is the kind of underdog story that makes cricket so compelling. Will he be MI’s secret weapon, as The Economic Times suggested, or will the Eliminator’s intensity prove too much for the debutant? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain: Raj Bawa’s name is one to watch. Stream the match on JioHotstar or catch it live on Star Sports to see if this young all-rounder can leave his mark on IPL 2025.