U-19 World Cup’s ‘Punjab XI’ has 2 who beat the percentages: Teacher’s son from UK, taxi driver’s son from Australia

ONE IS a instructor within the UK, the opposite a cab driver in Australia. Both are immigrants from Punjab with a dream that’s now turning into actual. Their sons are taking the primary massive step in cricket on the U-19 World Cup beginning within the West Indies this week.
Gurj Singh Landa’s son Fateh Singh is an all-rounder for England, and Baljit Singh’s son Harkirat Bajwa is a “mystery spinner” for Australia. And the crew lists that function their names is the reply to each problem that Fateh and Harkirat needed to surmount on this journey thus far.

Fateh’s grandfather moved to Patiala from Lahore throughout Partition, leaving “everything” behind, and his household shifted to the UK in 1965. Seven years in the past, the 17-year-old developed Alopecia, an autoimmune dysfunction that led to finish hair loss. Just a few months later, he noticed his mom Jaswinder Kaur being shifted to a nursing residence.
“Fateh has experienced a lot of difficulties over the last couple of years,” Gurj Singh informed The Indian Express over telephone from Nottinghamshire.
Fateh Singh is an all-rounder for England. (Express Photo)
“His mum has become disabled because of complications with her diabetes and lives in a nursing home. He has Alopecia. And all that has happened over the past few years. It’s very difficult for him… Cricket has helped him gain a lot of confidence. He’s a very talented cricketer and I’m very proud of him,” Gurj, a highschool instructor, stated.

Harkirat was seven when his household moved to Melbourne from Mohali. “Both my brothers live in Australia. Since we are a joint family, we decided to move, too,” Harkirat’s father Baljit informed The Indian Express over telephone from Melbourne. “I would not say it was a smooth transition for Harkirat as he took some time to settle down.”
Harkirat Bajwa is a “mystery spinner” for Australia. (Express Photo)
Apart from their roots, the opposite similarity between Fateh and Harkirat is their admiration for Indian spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Fateh, who bowls left-arm spin, idolises Jadeja. Harkirat, a right-arm offspinner, is an Ashwin fan. In 2017, Fateh gained a Champions Trophy prize draw ticket for the India-Pakistan sport and, alongside together with his father, received the possibility to see his hero in individual for the primary time.
“I would say he has developed his game on Ravindra Jadeja. He is a very economical bowler, hardly gives anything away. A solid power-hitter and a gun fielder. In the England cricket circuit, they call him England’s Jadeja because of all these attributes,” stated Gurj.
While Harkirat’s associates name him ‘Melbourne’s Turbanator,’ the 17-year-old is fascinated by Ashwin. “Look, any Sikh boy bowling spin will be compared to Harbhajan Singh. In Australia, Harbhajan has a great fan following. But Harkirat likes Ashwin a lot. Watching Ashwin’s videos is his favourite pastime,” stated Baljit.
By their very own admission, Baljit and Gurj by no means thought that their sons would get chosen for his or her international locations so quickly.
Fateh featured repeatedly for the Nottinghamshire Second XI in 2021 and made his first-team debut within the Royal London Cup 50-over competitors, making three List A appearances for his membership. (Express Photo)
“His career graph has surprised me. He has even signed a professional contract with Nottinghamshire,” stated Gurj. Fateh featured repeatedly for the Nottinghamshire Second XI in 2021 and made his first-team debut within the Royal London Cup 50-over competitors, making three List A appearances for his membership. He was additionally named Academy Player of the 12 months in 2021 for taking 32 wickets from 13 matches for the U-18s and averaging 25.89 with the bat.
Harkirat, Australia’s youngest participant within the U-19 World Cup, has additionally had a fast rise.
Harkirat, Australia’s youngest participant within the U-19 World Cup, has additionally had a fast rise. (Express Photo)
“He debuted in the top grade this season only. He claimed 14 wickets from six matches at an average of 13.93, and immediately caught the selectors’ attention,” stated Baljit.
“During the Women’s T20 World Cup, Harkirat was a net bowler. His prowess impressed then India coach W V Raman (former India opener and ex-India women’s team head coach),” Baljit stated, including that he’ll always remember Raman’s prediction about his son. “Raman sir told me that your son will get the Baggy Green by 2023. I was shocked, but how can one argue with someone with such a fine cricketing brain.”

According to the crew lists, there are a number of others with a Punjab connection on the World Cup. They embody Canada’s Anoop Chima, Gurnek Johal Singh, Harjap Saini, Parmveer Kharoud and Ramanvir Dhaliwal; UAE’s Shival Bawa; and naturally, India’s personal Harnoor Singh Pannu from Jalandhar and Raj Angad Bawa from Chandigarh. In all, they just about make a worldwide Punjab XI.