RCB Anuj Rawat: Who is Anuj Rawat, and why did Royal Challengers Bangalore Paid Big?
RCB Team’s player Anuj Rawat is not a New player into his IPL season. This is his third IPL so far. Yes, this is his third but this is the first time in this three year he is getting a proper chance to make his mark only now, with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Here’s the lowdown on the 22-year-old left-hand opening batter, who led his team to a seven-wicket against Mumbai Indians.
Who is Anuj Rawat?
Anuj Rawat’s story is a lot like Rishabh Pant. He is also an attacking wicketkeeper-batter who hails from Uttarakhand, who moved to Delhi as a pre-teen to better his chances of a future in professional cricket. He is originally from Ramnagar, a town in Nainital district, famous for the Jim Corbett National Park. Like Pant, he is a naturally attacking batter who loves hitting sixes and takes on the bowlers right from the outset.
Anuj Rawat Sold to RCB for 3.4 Crore
Rawat has been a consistent performer in the domestic cricket, especially against the white ball. RCB shelled out a lot for him because of his attacking strokeplay at the top, and because they lacked a left-hand batting option in their top and middle order.
Anuj Rawat – An Impressive Striker
In the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – India’s domestic 20-over tournament – Rawat impressed, striking 15 fours and 10 sixes in just five innings. In the 2021-22 Vijay Hazare Trophy (the domestic 50-over competition), Rawat’s average of 58.33 and strike rate of 108.69 was higher than any of his Delhi team-mates’. He also struck the most sixes (eight) for them.
Rawat’s IPL Story?
This is Rawat’s third IPL season overall, but only the second in which he is getting a chance to play.
- He was first bought by Rajasthan Royals for INR 80 lakh (USD 112,000 approx. at the time) in the 2020 auction, but he got his IPL debut last year.
- He got to bat only once and bagged a first-ball duck against Kolkata Knight Riders in Royals’ last league game.
- Rawat played against KKR for the first time – “Feels great. Scoring runs and winning. Very happy to be doing this. Was just following my process. I was starting well, wasn’t able to finish well, did it today. Happy and enjoying the company of Virat and Faf,” says Anuj Rawat, who is tonight’s Player of the Match.
