Youth Test: Lakshya’s unbeaten double ton puts India u-19 in the box seat

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Lakshya continued his rich vein of form in red-ball cricket. | Photo Credit: Saurashtra Cricket Association

Lakshya Raichandani carried his rich white-ball form into red-ball cricket, scoring an unbeaten 210 (256b, 20x4, 4x6) as India under-19 reached 430 for eight to take a 213-run lead over Australia under-19 on the second day of the first Youth Test.

Lakshya stitched together a 124-run partnership with captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan (54, 81b, 7x4) for the third wicket to help India recover from 46 for two, with Sagar Virk and Kushagra Ojha falling early.

As the Niranjan Shah Stadium surface eased out on Monday, the two settled in. Yashbardhan was positive, playing in the V and rotating the strike, while Lakshya took his time before opening up.

With the temperature soaring and the Australian bowlers tiring, it seemed both batters would reach their centuries. But Yashbardhan was caught behind off Kasey Barton, ending the partnership.

The Australian spinners — left-armer Connor Gregory and leg-spinner Spencer Green — then tightened the screws, taking two wickets apiece as India lost wickets in clusters.

Lakshya held firm, adding 51 with Ayaan Akram, who replaced Pranav Ragavendra, before putting on an unbroken 137-run stand for the ninth wicket with local boy Mohit Ulva (58 n.o., 56b, 5x4, 4x6).

Lakshya played each ball on its merit, while Mohit upped the tempo, finding the boundary regularly. The Australian spinners briefly shifted the momentum, but with Lakshya holding the fort, India remained firmly in control.

By the close, Lakshya had batted through the day and remained unbeaten, with India in command of the contest.

The scores: Australia u-19 217 vs. India u-19 430/8 in 92 overs (Lakshya Raichandani n.o. 210, Yashbardhan Singh 54, Mohit Ulva n.o. 58, Kasey Barton 3/64).