IND vs AUS, U-19 Test: Lakshya, Yashbardhan keep India firmly in control against Australia on Day 2

Lakshya Raichandani kept things simple through the day, playing each ball on its merit, to bring up his double century — his second in Youth Tests. | 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 after being reduced to 46 for two, with Sagar Virk and Kushagra Ojha falling early.

Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan kept on rotating the strike with boundaries in regular intervals to score 54 off 81 balls. | Photo Credit: Saurashtra Cricket Association

As the surface at the Niranjan Shah Stadium eased out on Monday, the two batters 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 beginning to tire, it looked as though both batters would reach their centuries. But Yashbardhan was caught behind off Kasey Barton, ending the partnership.

AS IT HAPPENED | India U-19 vs Australia U-19, 1st Youth Test Highlights

The Australian spinners — left-armer Connor Gregory and leg-spinner Spencer Green — tightened the screws with two wickets apiece as India lost wickets in clusters. Lakshya, though, held firm. He added 51 runs with Ayaan Akram, who came into the side as a replacement for Pranav Ragavendra, and later put on an unbroken 137-run stand for the ninth wicket with local boy Mohit Ulva (58 n.o., 56b, 5x4, 4x6) to take India out of trouble.

Lakshya kept things simple through the day, playing each ball on its merit. Mohit, meanwhile, upped the tempo, finding the boundary regularly to keep the runs flowing.

The Australian spinners briefly shifted the momentum, but with Lakshya holding the fort, India remained firmly in control.

Australia U-19 217 vs. India U-19 430/8 in 92 overs (Lakshya Raichandani 210 not out, Yashbardhan Singh 54, Mohit Ulva n.o. 58, Kasey Barton 3/64)

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