India U19 Complete 3-0 Sweep Over Australia as Lakshya Raichandani Hits 110

India Under-19 secured a commanding six-wicket victory over Australia Under-19 in Rajkot, completing a 3-0 One-Day series sweep after another composed chase led by captain Lakshya Raichandani.

India Under-19 finished their One-Day series against Australia Under-19 in emphatic fashion, winning the third match by six wickets at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Captain Lakshya Raichandani produced the defining performance of the contest, remaining unbeaten on 110 as India chased down Australia’s 254 with 52 balls to spare.

The result gave India a clean 3-0 series victory and extended their winning run against the visiting Australian side. More importantly, the performance showed India’s ability to chase a sizeable target without allowing the required run rate to become a major concern.

Australia had several promising contributions during their innings, particularly from opener Zed Hollick and middle-order batter Neel Patel. However, India’s bowlers kept taking wickets at important stages before Raichandani controlled the chase and took his team across the finish line.

Lakshya Raichandani Leads India U19 to Another Series Win

The biggest talking point from the match was undoubtedly Raichandani’s unbeaten century.

The India U19 captain scored 110 runs from 106 deliveries, striking nine fours and three sixes. His innings combined patience with calculated attacking shots, allowing India to maintain control even as wickets fell at the other end.

Raichandani reached his half-century in the 22nd over, bringing up the milestone with a six. Instead of accelerating recklessly after reaching fifty, he continued building partnerships and kept the chase organized.

His century arrived from 100 deliveries in the 40th over. Once the landmark was completed, India required only a relatively small number of runs to finish the match.

Raichandani eventually remained unbeaten when India completed the chase during the 42nd over. His ability to bat through the innings gave India the stability required in a chase of 255.

Aaryavir Sehwag Provides India With a Fast Start

India’s chase began aggressively through openers Raichandani and Aaryavir Sehwag.

Sehwag, who carries a well-known cricketing surname, looked to put pressure on the Australian attack during the early overs. He scored 34 from 31 balls before Jacob Pietz dismissed him in the eighth over.

The opening pair had already added 58 runs, giving India an excellent platform in the powerplay phase.

Sehwag’s contribution was important because it prevented Australia from immediately putting pressure on Raichandani. Once the opening partnership was broken, the India captain continued to anchor the innings from the other end.

India Lose Wickets but Never Lose Control

India did experience a few setbacks during the chase.

VK Vineeth initially struggled to score freely, managing only one run from his first 16 deliveries. He eventually found some momentum by hitting a six but was dismissed by Spencer Green in the 15th over.

Vineeth finished with 10 runs from 23 balls.

Raichandani then combined with Kushagra Ojha to rebuild the innings. Their partnership provided another period of stability and ensured that Australia’s bowlers could not create sustained pressure.

Ojha eventually fell to Green in the 31st over after scoring 45 from 53 deliveries. His innings included four fours and one six and kept India firmly ahead in the chase.

Arjun Rajput was dismissed for a six-ball duck in the following over, giving Australia another opening. However, Raichandani remained at the crease and continued to control the chase.

Rajat Bhagel Finishes the Job Alongside Raichandani

With India approaching the final stages of the chase, Rajat Bhagel provided the attacking support Raichandani needed.

Bhagel played his shots confidently and cleared the boundary twice during his unbeaten stay at the crease. He finished with 44 not out from 34 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.

The partnership between Bhagel and Raichandani removed any remaining doubt about the result.

India reached the target during the second ball of the 42nd over, finishing on the required score with six wickets still in hand. Raichandani’s unbeaten 110 and Bhagel’s 44 not out ensured that the chase ended well before the final stages of the innings.

Zed Hollick Gives Australia U19 a Strong Start

Earlier, Australia U19 captain Jack Czosnek won the toss and chose to bat first. His team made a promising start through openers Zed Hollick and Charlie Henderson.

The opening partnership produced 64 runs before Henderson was run out by Manal Chauhan in the 13th over. Henderson scored 18 from 31 deliveries.

Hollick continued to attack after losing his opening partner. He reached his half-century from 46 balls in the 14th over and appeared well placed to produce a century.

However, Aryan Savsani ended his innings in the 25th over.

Hollick scored 87 from 88 balls, including 12 fours. His innings was the foundation of Australia’s total and gave the visitors an opportunity to build a competitive score.

Neel Patel Adds a Half-Century for Australia

Australia’s middle order struggled to maintain the momentum created by Hollick, although Neel Patel produced another useful contribution.

Indian-origin batter Patel reached his fifty from 69 deliveries. He eventually fell to Mohit Ulva in the 39th over after scoring 51 from 71 balls.

Patel’s innings contained only one boundary, highlighting the different approach required after Australia’s fast start. Rather than attacking continuously, he focused on occupying the crease and keeping the scoreboard moving.

Matthew Lough was dismissed for 11, while Eli Brain scored 11 before Manal Chauhan removed him. Blake Cattle added 38 from 31 balls and provided a late boost, including useful contributions during the lower-order phase.

However, Australia’s lower order could not take the total beyond 254. The visitors were bowled out for 254 in 49.3 overs.

Manal Chauhan and Mohit Ulva Lead India’s Bowling Effort

India’s bowling attack played an important role in preventing Australia from reaching a more imposing total.

Manal Chauhan was particularly influential, striking at important stages of the Australian innings. He dismissed Matthew Lough before returning to remove Eli Brain and Blake Cattle in consecutive overs.

Mohit Ulva also made a significant contribution with three wickets.

The combined effort ensured that Australia could not fully capitalize on Hollick’s excellent start. Once Hollick departed for 87, India gradually gained control and prevented the Australian middle and lower order from producing a late surge.

India U19 Complete a Dominant 3-0 Series Sweep

The six-wicket victory completed India’s third consecutive win over Australia U19 in the One-Day series.

The clean sweep is significant because India managed to win both while defending and chasing during the series, demonstrating different aspects of their game. In the final match, the chase was particularly convincing because Australia had posted 254, a total that required disciplined batting over 50 overs.

India’s response showed exactly that discipline. Sehwag’s early aggression provided momentum, Ojha helped stabilize the middle overs, and Raichandani stayed at the crease long enough to ensure Australia never gained sustained control.

Bhagel then provided the finishing acceleration, allowing India to complete the chase with eight overs and two deliveries remaining.

Raichandani’s Captaincy Adds Another Positive

Beyond the century itself, Raichandani’s innings demonstrated the value of having a batter who can control a chase from the top of the order.

He did not need to dominate every phase of the innings. Instead, he absorbed pressure when required and accelerated when the situation allowed. Reaching his fifty with a six and his century from 100 balls reflected the controlled progression of his innings.

Remaining unbeaten until the target was reached also meant he was present throughout the decisive stages of the chase.

For an Under-19 captain, performances like this can provide confidence not only for the individual but also for the wider team. Raichandani’s leadership and batting contribution combined to make him the central figure in India’s series-clinching performance.

Australia U19 Have Another Challenge Coming

Despite losing the One-Day series 3-0, Australia’s tour is not over.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again in two unofficial Tests, with the first match beginning on September 27.

The change from limited-overs cricket to the longer format will present a different challenge for both groups. Batters will need to build longer innings, while bowlers will have more opportunities to create pressure over extended spells.

For India, the upcoming red-ball matches provide another opportunity to assess the depth and adaptability of their Under-19 setup. Australia, meanwhile, will look to respond after a difficult One-Day series.

Final Verdict

India U19 finished the One-Day series against Australia U19 in style, completing a 3-0 clean sweep with a convincing six-wicket victory in Rajkot.

Lakshya Raichandani was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 110 from 106 balls and guiding India through the chase of 255. His century was supported by Rajat Bhagel’s unbeaten 44, while Aaryavir Sehwag and Kushagra Ojha also made valuable contributions.

Australia had competitive performances from Zed Hollick and Neel Patel, but India’s bowlers prevented the visitors from converting their starts into a larger total. Manal Chauhan and Mohit Ulva were particularly effective during the Australian innings.

With the One-Day series now settled 3-0 in India’s favour, attention turns to the two unofficial Tests beginning on September 27, where both Under-19 sides will have another opportunity to test their skills in a different format.