IND U19 vs AUS U19 1st Youth Test Day 2 Highlights: Lakshya Raichandani 210 Not Out Drives India to Dominant 213-Run Lead

A masterclass in modern red-ball batting swung the first Youth Test decisively in the hosts' favor on Monday at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Following a morning session where the Indian bowlers wrapped up Australia Under-19's first innings for 217, Indian opener and vice-captain Lakshya Raichandani took complete command of proceedings. Batting across the entire day, the 17-year-old struck a magnificent unbeaten 210 off 256 balls to take India Under-19 to 430 for 8 in 92 overs by stumps on Day 2, securing a formidable 213-run first-innings cushion.

DailyCricInfo brings you the complete scorecard breakdown, key partnerships, and verified statistical milestones from Day 2 of the opening multi-day clash between India Under-19 and Australia Under-19.

Cattle Reaches Century Before Indian Bowlers Terminate Australian Innings at 217

Australia Under-19 resumed the second morning looking to build on their overnight platform after electing to bat first on Sunday.

Middle-order batter Blake Cattle continued to show immense resilience against the Indian bowling attack, completing a fine century off 182 deliveries. Cattle eventually fell clean-bowled to India captain Yashbardhan Chauhan for 102 off 198 balls, an innings that included 14 boundaries. Zed Hollick offered solid resistance with 59 off 160 deliveries before falling to Mohit Ulva.

India's bowling unit wrapped up the Australian lower order swiftly in the morning session. Pacer Ishan Om finished with key strikes, trapping Kasey Barton leg-before for a duck as Australia folded for 217 in 86.5 overs.

Barton Strikes Early, But Raichandani and Chauhan Counter

Facing a 217-run total, India Under-19 suffered early wobbles against Australia's new-ball attack. Seamer Kasey Barton found early movement, having opener Sagar Virk caught for 11 in the seventh over, before Spencer Green removed Kushagra Ojha for 13 to leave India 46 for 2.

From that precarious position, Lakshya Raichandani took charge alongside skipper Yashbardhan Chauhan in an authoritative 124-run partnership for the third wicket. Chauhan batted fluently, reaching 54 off 81 balls with seven boundaries before Barton struck back in the 41st over to dismiss him.

Barton immediately followed up on the next delivery by having Manal Chauhan caught for a golden duck. When Green removed Kush Patel for 1, India slipped from 170 for 2 to 173 for 5, opening the door for an Australian fightback.

Raichandani Reaches 210 with Destructive Mohit Ulva Stand

Unfazed by the flurry of wickets at the other end, Raichandani displayed elite temperament and expansive strokeplay, reaching his hundred in 139 deliveries.

Wicketkeeper-batter Manav Krishna contributed 25, while Ayaan Akram chipped in with 26 to steady the ship past the 250-run mark. When Connor Gregory removed Akram and Ishan Om (1) in quick succession, India were 293 for 8, holding a slender 76-run advantage.

What followed in the final session was a demoralizing assault for the Australian bowling attack.

All-rounder Mohit Ulva joined Raichandani to construct an explosive, unbroken 137-run alliance for the ninth wicket in just 121 balls. Ulva played the role of enforcer, smashing five fours and four sixes on his way to an unbeaten 58 off 56 balls.

Raichandani brought up his double-century off 247 deliveries with a crisp boundary through the covers. By the close of play, the Uttarakhand youngster was unbeaten on 210 off 256 balls, laced with 20 boundaries and four sixes, pushing India to 430 for 8 at a brisk run rate of 4.67.

Barton was the pick of the Australian attack, taking 3 for 65 in 17 overs, while Green (2 for 61) and Gregory (2 for 78) worked tirelessly without halting the late-order carnage.

With two days left in Rajkot and an active lead of 213 runs, India Under-19 will look to add quick morning runs on Day 3 before setting Australia a daunting second-innings trial by spin.

For verified live scorecards, session-by-session updates, and rising star spotlights from the India vs Australia U19 series, stay tuned to DailyCricInfo.