India U-19 Secures Dominant Innings Victory Over Australia in Rajkot Youth Test
India Under-19 secured a commanding victory over Australia Under-19 in the first Youth Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, winning by an innings and 48 runs. The result was driven by a massive first-innings total of 494, anchored by Lakshya Raichandani's record-breaking 240, and a clinical bowling performance that dismantled the Australian lineup in both innings.
According to SportsTak, for Australia U-19 Team Management, Australian coaching staff commended Cattle's resilience against Indian spin while highlighting bowling execution breakdowns that conceded 490 runs. According to Telangana Today, india U-19 entered the Youth Test following a clean 3-0 sweep against Australia U-19 in the bilateral Youth ODI series in Rajkot earlier in September 2026.
Raichandani's Record-Breaking Performance
Lakshya Raichandani dominated the Australian attack, scoring 240 runs off 281 balls. His innings stands as the highest individual score in youth Tests against Australia and the second-highest ever for an Indian player in the format. Raichandani was supported by Mohit Ulva, who contributed a rapid 92 off 84 balls, including ten fours and four sixes. The pair shared a 180-run partnership for the ninth wicket, which effectively pushed India to a 277-run lead after Australia's first-innings total of 217.
According to SportsTak, raichandani's 240 surpassed Tanmay Srivastava's 220 to become the second-highest individual Youth Test innings by an Indian and the all-time highest against Australia U-19. According to Hindustan Times, lakshya Raichandani scored 240 off 280 balls to lead India U-19 to 490, bowling out Australia U-19 for 217 and 225 to complete an innings-and-48-run victory in Rajkot.
Bowling Dominance and Australian Resistance
Australia's second innings saw a collapse triggered by left-arm spinner Ishan Om, who claimed three wickets in a single over to leave the visitors reeling at 17 for 3. Despite the pressure, Australian batter Blake Cattle provided significant resistance, scoring 123 off 114 balls. Cattle's effort marked his second century of the match, making him only the eighth batter in youth Test history to achieve twin centuries in a single match and the first Australian to do so in nearly three decades.
Blake Cattle achieved his historic twin centuries in a losing effort as India's substantial lead ultimately determined the outcome of the match. Earlier in the innings, Raichandani contributed 240 runs from 280 deliveries, hitting 24 fours and 4 sixes to help India secure full control.
However, the Australian middle and lower order could not sustain the momentum. Yashbardhan Chauhan proved instrumental in the final sessions, finishing with match figures of eight wickets, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings. Ishan Om complemented this with four wickets in the second innings, bringing his match tally to nine. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 229, concluding the match within three days. The teams are scheduled to continue the series following this opening result.