Lakshya Raichandani’s second Youth Test double century of 2026 has established a 213-run lead for India Under-19 against Australia Under-19 at the end of Day 2 in Rajkot. India reached 430 for 8 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, responding to Australia’s first-innings total of 217.
Raichandani remained unbeaten on 210 off 256 balls, a knock containing 20 fours and four sixes. This follows his 207 against Sri Lanka in July, marking a high conversion rate where he has now recorded two double centuries and a century in his last four Youth Test innings.
India’s position was strengthened by an unfinished 137-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Raichandani and Mohit Ulva. The stand is a record for the ninth wicket in recent India U19 multi-day matches. Ulva, who earlier took 3 for 37 with the ball, finished the day 58 not out off 56 balls.
Earlier, Ishan Om’s five-wicket haul (5/53) helped dismiss Australia for 217. Australia’s innings was anchored by Blake Cattle, who scored 102 off 198 balls with 14 boundaries. However, the visitors lost six wickets for 43 runs during a middle-order collapse after Cattle’s dismissal.
The Indian playing XI featured a late change, with Ayaan Akram replacing the injured Pranav Ragavendra. While Raichandani led India to a 3-0 victory in the preceding ODI series, he is serving as vice-captain for the Youth Tests under Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan.
Speaking previously on his role in the squad, Raichandani said: “It is a great opportunity; it’s an honour to be a captain for the Indian team. It is an added responsibility, so I am very excited for this opportunity.”
Analysis: India’s strategy for Day 3 is expected to involve a quick declaration to provide spinners Ishan Om and Mohit Ulva maximum time to exploit the Rajkot pitch. With the pitch likely to offer more turn and bounce, Australia’s middle order faces a significant challenge to avoid defeat in the first match of the two-Test series.
