Seventeen-year-old batter Lakshya Raichandani delivered a batting masterclass on day two of the first unofficial Youth Test against Australia U19 at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. Exhibiting flawless temperament and strokeplay, the young batter scored an unbeaten 210 off 256 deliveries, striking 20 boundaries and four sixes. Propelled by his marathon performance, India U19 posted a commanding 430 in their first innings, building a formidable 213-run lead over their Australian counterparts.
A World First: Two Double Centuries in Youth Test Cricket
With his double century in Rajkot, Raichandani etched his name into the record books as the first cricketer in Youth Test history to record two double hundreds. The right-handed batter had previously made headlines during the tour of Sri Lanka, where he smashed 207 in Galle before following it up with another hundred in Colombo. His latest milestone against the visiting Australian side cements his status as one of the brightest batting prospects in youth cricket.
Carrying White-Ball Form Into Red-Ball Dominance
Raichandani brought immense momentum into this fixture, having struck an unbeaten 110 in the third Youth ODI against Australia earlier this month. When opening batter Sagar Virk was dismissed cheaply for 11 runs, Raichandani walked out with responsibility on his shoulders. Even as wickets tumbled at regular intervals from the opposite end, the teenager remained resolute, blunting the Australian bowling attack and batting through the entirety of the second day.
Crucial Alliances with Yashbardhan Chauhan and Mohit Ulwa
Raichandani anchored the Indian innings through two pivotal century stands. Batting at number three, he combined with captain Yashbardhan Chauhan, who contributed 54 runs, to construct a steady 124-run partnership. Later in the innings, Raichandani found an equally determined ally in Mohit Ulwa. The pair compiled an unbeaten 137-run stand for the ninth wicket, with Ulwa remaining not out on 58. Heading into day three, Raichandani will look to extend India's lead and potentially push towards a triple century.
Australia Bowled Out for 217 on Opening Day
Earlier in the contest, Australia U19 were bowled out for 217 in their first innings, with Blake Kettle providing the sole major resistance courtesy of a fighting 102. India's bowling unit was led by left-arm spinner Ishan Om, who dismantled the Australian batting order with impressive figures of 5 for 53. Mohit Ulwa complemented him effectively with the ball, picking up 3 wickets for 37 runs before showcasing his batting prowess later in the match.
