Rajkot, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Captain Lakshya Raichandani struck an unbeaten century as India Under-19 defeated Australia Under-19 by six wickets in the third and final Youth ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Chasing 255, India reached 258/4 in 41.5 overs, with Raichandani anchoring the successful chase with an unbeaten 110 off 106 balls. His innings featured nine fours and three sixes.
After failing to convert promising starts in the opening two matches, Raichandani produced a composed performance in the series finale. He began the chase alongside Aaryavir Sehwag, with the pair putting on 58 runs for the opening wicket. Sehwag scored 33 off 35 balls, hitting five boundaries, before being dismissed by Jacob Pietz.
V.K. Vineeth departed cheaply, but Raichandani found a steady partner in Kushagra Ojha. The duo added 85 runs for the third wicket to put India firmly in control.
After Ojha’s dismissal, Rajat Baghel, who came into the XI in place of Anvay Dravid, accelerated the chase with an unbeaten 44 off 34 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Australia made a solid start after opting to bat first. Zed Hollick top-scored with a fluent 87 off 88 balls, hitting 12 boundaries, while Neel Patel contributed 51 off 71 balls.
Hollick and Patel shared a 62-run partnership for the second wicket before local debutant Aryan Savsani dismissed Hollick, triggering a collapse in the Australian middle order.
India’s pacers capitalised on the opening, with Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan claiming three wickets each as Australia were bowled out for 254 in 48.4 overs.
India had already secured the series after winning the first two matches and made tactical changes to the playing XI for the final game. The revamped bowling attack restricted Australia before Raichandani’s unbeaten century completed the series sweep.
The two teams will now shift focus to red-ball cricket, with the first match of their series scheduled to begin in Rajkot on September 27.
Brief Scores: Australia U-19 254 all out in 48.4 overs (Zed Hollick 87, Neel Patel 51; Mohit Ulva 3/42, Manal Chauhan 3/48) lost to India U-19 258/4 in 41.5 overs (Lakshya Raichandani 110 not out, Rajat Baghel 44 not out; Jacob Pietz 1/41) by six wickets.
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