Raichandani's 207 headlines drawn India U-19 vs Sri Lanka U-19 first Youth Test in Galle
Synopsis
Lakshay Raichandani's 207 — spanning 492 minutes and 324 balls — was the centrepiece of India U-19's 576 all out in Galle, a total that handed them a 152-run lead but ultimately could not force a result. With Manav Krishna and Sagar Virk also scoring centuries, India's batting depth is the real story heading into the second Youth Test in Colombo on 20 July.
Key Takeaways
Lakshay Raichandani scored 207 off 324 balls , spending 492 minutes at the crease with 22 fours and 3 sixes .
India U-19 posted 576 all out in 153 overs, securing a 152-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka U-19's 424/9 decl .
Manav Krishna scored 100 off 153 balls and Sagar Virk contributed 134 in India's dominant first innings.
India captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan claimed 4 for 49 as Sri Lanka U-19 declared their second innings at 178/6 .
The first Youth Test ended in a draw; the second four-day game begins in Colombo on 20 July .
Opener Lakshay Raichandani struck a commanding 207 off 324 balls to anchor India Under-19's first innings total of 576 all out in the opening Youth Test against Sri Lanka Under-19 in Galle on 16 July, as the four-day match ended in a draw with no realistic prospect of an outright result on the final day.
Raichandani's Marathon Double Century
Resuming on the overnight score of 196, Raichandani wasted little time in reaching the double-century landmark. His innings of 207 lasted a marathon 492 minutes at the crease and featured 22 boundaries and 3 sixes — a display of both technique and temperament rarely seen at the Under-19 level. He was eventually dismissed after building a commanding platform for India.
Wicketkeeper-batter Manav Krishna played a stellar supporting role, scoring a composed 100 off 153 deliveries, striking 6 fours and 3 sixes before becoming the last Indian wicket to fall. Sagar Virk also contributed a significant 134, making this a collective batting masterclass by the Indian youth side.
India's Dominant First Innings
India's total of 576 all out in 153 overs gave them a substantial 152-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka U-19, who had declared their own first innings at 424 for 9. Lathendra Akash was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, returning figures of 3 for 66. The sheer weight of India's first-innings runs effectively took a result out of the equation early on the final day.
Sri Lanka's Defiant Second Innings
Facing a deficit of 152 runs, Sri Lanka U-19 showed admirable resolve in their second innings, posting 178 for 6 before declaring in 55 overs. Opener Dulnith Sigera led the resistance with a brisk 72 off 77 balls, while Kavija Gamage chipped in with a gritty 51 off 66 balls. Chamika Heenatigala remained unbeaten on 21 off 26 balls to help the hosts bat out the remaining overs safely.
India captain and off-spinner Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan was the standout bowler for the visitors, claiming 4 for 49 and putting Sri Lanka under pressure at various stages of their second innings. Notably, his spell demonstrated the kind of leadership — with ball in hand — that augurs well for India's prospects in the series.
What's Next: Second Youth Test in Colombo
With the series level at 0-0 after the drawn opener, attention now turns to Colombo, where the second four-day Youth Test is scheduled to begin on 20 July. India will take considerable confidence from their batting depth and Chauhan's bowling returns, while Sri Lanka will look to convert their second-innings resilience into a more competitive first-innings effort on home soil.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka U-19 424/9 decl & 178/6 decl in 55 overs (Dulnith Sigera 72, Kavija Gamage 51; Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan 4-49) drew with India U-19 576 all out in 153 overs (Lakshay Raichandani 207, Sagar Virk 134, Manav Krishna 100; Lathendra Akash 3-66).
Point of View
But the more significant signal from Galle is India U-19's collective batting depth — three scores of 100-plus in a single first innings is rare at any level of cricket. The draw, however, underscores a persistent challenge for youth Test cricket: pitches and match conditions in Sri Lanka tend to favour batting, making outright results difficult to engineer. Chauhan's 4-wicket haul with the ball is an encouraging subplot, but India will need to find a way to bowl sides out twice if the second Test in Colombo is to produce a winner. The series is still very much open.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Lakshay Raichandani's score in the first Youth Test against Sri Lanka?
Lakshay Raichandani scored 207 off 324 balls, spending 492 minutes at the crease and hitting 22 fours and 3 sixes. It was the standout innings of the drawn first Youth Test in Galle on 16 July.
What was India U-19's first innings total in the Galle Youth Test?
India U-19 scored 576 all out in 153 overs, giving them a 152-run first-innings lead over Sri Lanka U-19, who had declared at 424 for 9. Raichandani (207), Sagar Virk (134), and Manav Krishna (100) were the chief contributors.
Why did the first Youth Test between India and Sri Lanka end in a draw?
With no realistic prospect of an outright result on the final day — Sri Lanka U-19 having declared their second innings at 178 for 6 — the four-day match in Galle ended in a draw. Sri Lanka's batters, led by Dulnith Sigera's 72, successfully batted out the remaining overs.
How did Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan perform in the match?
India captain Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan, an off-spinner, claimed 4 for 49 in Sri Lanka's second innings, putting the hosts under pressure at various stages. His bowling was the pick of India's attack in the second innings.
When and where is the second India U-19 vs Sri Lanka U-19 Youth Test?
The second four-day Youth Test is scheduled to begin on 20 July in Colombo. The series is level at 0-0 after the drawn opener in Galle.
