Raichandani Double Century Puts India Under-19 in Control Against Australia
Opening batter Lakshya Raichandani compiled an unbeaten double century to place India Under-19 in a commanding position at the close of the second day of the opening Youth Test against Australia Under-19 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Lakshya Raichandani represents Uttarakhand in domestic circuits and recently earned the BCCI Naman Award for his junior tournament performances.
Earlier in the series, India Under-19 secured a six-wicket victory over Australia Under-19 in a Youth ODI encounter.
Raichandani finished the day not out on 210 off 256 deliveries, hitting 20 boundaries and four sixes. His marathon innings anchored the hosts to 430 for 8 at stumps, building a substantial 213-run first-innings advantage over Australia's total of 217.
Early Tremors and Recovery
Resuming their overnight score of 8 for 0, India faced early pressure as seamer Kasey Barton and legspinner Spencer Green removed two batters within the first 14 overs. Sagar Virk and Kushagra Ojha fell cheaply on a pitch that gradually eased out under soaring temperatures.
According to Cricket Australia, kasey Barton earned a rookie contract with Tasmania after featuring for Australia at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup, while Connor Gregory is a South Australian left-arm spinning all-rounder from Sturt DCC. According to Rediff.com, india secured a commanding 213-run lead with two days remaining, putting Australia Under-19 under severe pressure to avoid an innings loss on a deteriorating surface.
Captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan then joined Raichandani to rebuild the innings. While Raichandani reached his half-century in 69 deliveries, Chauhan adopted a patient approach initially before accelerating to score 54 from 81 balls, featuring seven boundaries. The pair put on 124 runs for the third wicket before Barton broke the partnership.
Middle-Order Resistance and Lower-Order Counterattack
India lost four wickets within a span of 16 overs as the Australian attack applied sustained pressure. Raichandani found brief support from Ayaan Akram, who replaced injured Pranav Ragavendra in the lineup, adding 51 runs for the seventh wicket.
Left-arm spinner Connor Gregory struck by removing Akram and Ishan Om in quick succession, briefly shifting momentum back to the visitors. However, number 10 batter Mohit Ulva partnered with Raichandani in an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 137 runs that came at better than a run a ball.
Stumps Position and Match Outlook
Ulva finished day two unbeaten on 58 from 56 deliveries, hitting five fours and four sixes to deflate the tired Australian bowling attack. Australia utilized seven bowling options throughout the marathon Indian innings.
With two days remaining in the fixture, India hold a firm 213-run lead with two wickets in hand. Play is scheduled to resume at 4:00 AM.