Two youths of Indian origin, Harkirat Bajwa and Harjas Singh, have been picked in the Australian squad for 2024 U-19 World Cup.
The event, originally scheduled for Sri Lanka, will now be held across five venues in South Africa from January 19. The final is in Benoni on February 11.
The Melbourne-based Bajwa, who is a right-hand batter and bowls off spin, is the son of a taxi driver in Melbourne.
Left-hand batter Harjas was part of the U-19 series against England this year. He is from Sydney and his father works in the travel industry.
Harkirat Bajwa. Sourced by the Telegraph
Indian-origin players turning out for Australia is not unusual. Jason Sangha led Australia during the 2018 edition of the U-19 World Cup. Arjun Nair and Tanveer Sangha have also represented Australia.
The Mohali-born Bajwa was also part of the squad in the last U-19 World Cup in the West Indies in 2022. The Aussies had lost in the quarter-finals then and he hopes to improve on their record this time.
“We hope to go one better and make the semi-finals this time. Hopefully, we can make the final from there and go on to win the trophy,” Bajwa told The Telegraph on Monday.
His parents migrated to Australia in 2012. Bajwa started playing cricket “for fun” in the backyard of his home since the age of seven. Injuries have often stalled his run but he has remained focus in his goal of excelling in the sport.
“Noticing my interest, my uncle put me into a local cricket club and I have
been playing serious cricket since. When I was selected for the under-15 team, I performed exceptionally well,” he said.
He last toured India seven years ago with the family and remains fully dedicated to the cause of his team. “It is the occasion which matters, not the team I am playing for,” Bajwa, who has been inspired by Shubman Gill, said.
The circumstances are slightly different for Harjas. Having been born and brought up in Australia, he considers himself to be “pretty much Australian”. His last visit to India was in 2015 and remains proud of his roots.
He began his journey with a wooden plank that he used as a bat and a tennis ball but his talent came to the fore once he started playing as a substitute player at the local Revesby Workers Cricket Club.
Along with his parents’ unwavering support and passion for the game, Harjas’s hard work and dedication have earned him a spot in the Cup squad.
“I am pretty positive about my chances. It’s a matter of grabbing the opportunities and I am pretty confident of doing so,” Harjas said.
The two were selected following the conclusion of the U-19 National Championships in Albury last week.
Australia’s squad will be coached by Anthony Clark, who has also led the U-19 squad on recent tours of England and Sri Lanka.
