Picture Credits: Twitter
Ahead of IPL 2022, there is lot of excitement around the 10-team affair this season with so many talented youngsters set to make their debuts. From Delhi Capitals' Yash Dhull to CSK's Rajvardhan Hangargekar, there will be lot of eye balls on India's U-19 World Cup wining stars. But among these, there will be one player who will wear the No. 12 jersey for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022, who is touted to be the next star in making for India.
As the franchise revealed the jersey numbers' list for the upcoming season, they confirmed that youngster Raj Angad Bawa has opted to take the famous Yuvraj Singh's number to don behind his back. "Emerging talent Raj Bawa has gone with number 12 as an homage to his cricketing idol Yuvraj Singh and also because his birthday falls on 12th November," the franchise stated on the official website.
Raj and Yuvraj - The lucky No. 12 coincidence
Notably, the all-rounder has always idolized Yuvraj Singh since his childhood. While Yuvi's birthday falls on 12 (December) because of which he used that jersey number throughout his career, Raj Bawa's birthday also coincidentally falls on 12 (November). In addition, Raj’s grandfather Tarlochan Singh, who played a key role in his cricket journey, was also born on 12 (February).
As a result of all the above reasons, the young all-rounder has gone ahead to pursue the No. 12 jersey in his career and with his left-handed stroke-play also similar to Yuvraj, fans would be hoping that Raj can do similar wonders for Punjab Kings and Team India in future.
Meanwhile, captain Mayank Agarwal will continue to wear No. 16 jersey while new-signing Shikhar Dhawan will don the No. 42 jersey, the one which he wears for national team. Interestingly, the No. 7 jersey has been handed to franchise's most expensive overseas signing of IPL 2022 mega auction - Liam Livingstone.
Punjab Kings' jersey numbers of all players
Mayank Agarwal - No. 16
Arshdeep Singh - No. 2
Harpreet Brar - No. 95
Prabhsimran Singh - No. 84
Shahrukh Khan - No. 35
Ishan Porel - No. 55
Shikhar Dhawan - No. 42
Rahul Chahar - No. 83
Vaibhav Arora - No. 14
Raj Angad Bawa - No. 12
Rishi Dhawan - No. 19
Sandeep Sharma - No. 66
Ansh Patel - No. 9
Baltej Dhanda - No. 10
Writtick Chatterjee - No. 28
Jitesh Sharma - No. 99
Prerak Mankad - No. 46
Atharva Taide - No. 5
Liam Livingstone - No. 7
Kagiso Rabada - No. 25
Jonny Bairstow - No. 51
Odean Smith - No. 15
Nathan Ellis - No. 72
Bhanuka Rajapaksa - No. 54
Benny Howell - No. 13