Raichandani's unbeaten 110 seals India U-19's 3-0 series sweep over Australia
Synopsis
Captain Lakshya Raichandani turned a 3-0 series foregone conclusion into a personal statement — his unbeaten 110, after failing to convert in the first two games, showed the composure that defines captains who grow into the role. India U-19 didn't just beat Australia; they whitewashed them, with a bowling attack of debutants and squad rotations still delivering.
Key Takeaways
India U-19 beat Australia U-19 by six wickets at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on 23 September to clinch a 3-0 Youth ODI series sweep.
Captain Lakshya Raichandani struck an unbeaten 110 off 106 balls — his first century of the series — laced with nine fours and three sixes .
Rajat Baghel hit a brisk 44 off 34 balls , while Aaryavir Sehwag contributed 33 at the top.
Mohit Ulva (3/42) and Manal Chauhan (3/48) shared six wickets to restrict Australia to 254 .
Australia's Zed Hollick top-scored with 87 , but a collapse following his dismissal ended their innings at 254 in 48.4 overs .
India U-19 next face Australia U-19 in a red-ball game in Rajkot from 27 September .
Captain Lakshya Raichandani struck a commanding unbeaten 110 as India Under-19 completed a dominant six-wicket victory over Australia Under-19 in the third and final Youth ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, 23 September, clinching a comprehensive 3-0 series whitewash.
Raichandani Anchors the Chase
Chasing a target of 255, Raichandani anchored the innings with remarkable composure, hitting an unbeaten 110 off 106 balls, laced with nine fours and three sixes. India crossed the finish line with more than eight overs to spare, reaching 258/4 in 41.5 overs. Having struggled to convert starts in the opening two fixtures, the skipper delivered when the series was already won — a telling sign of individual class beyond the pressure of results.
Aaryavir Sehwag provided a brisk platform at the top, scoring a well-struck 33 — including five boundaries — before falling to Jacob Pietz. Raichandani and Sehwag put on a 58-run opening stand to set the tone.
Key Partnerships Power India Home
After V.K. Vineeth was dismissed cheaply, Raichandani forged an 85-run third-wicket partnership with Kushagra Ojha to firmly seize control of the match. Once Ojha departed, Rajat Baghel — who replaced Anvay Dravid in the playing eleven — injected crucial momentum with a quickfire 44 off 34 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, accelerating India comfortably past the target.
Australia's Innings: Hollick Shines, But Collapse Follows
Opting to bat first on a favourable surface, Australia were anchored by Zed Hollick, who top-scored with a stroke-filled 87 off 88 balls featuring 12 boundaries. Neel Patel provided strong support, contributing a measured 51 off 71 balls, with the pair adding 62 runs for the second wicket.
The partnership's end proved the turning point. Local debutant Aryan Savsani dismissed Hollick, triggering a collapse through the Australian middle order. Pacers Mohit Ulva and Manal Chauhan capitalised ruthlessly, picking up three wickets each — Ulva finishing with figures of 3/42 and Chauhan with 3/48 — as Australia were bowled out for 254 in 48.4 overs.
Tactical Rotations Signal Depth in the Squad
With the series already secured after the second match, the India U-19 management made deliberate tactical rotations, giving fringe players valuable game time. The revamped bowling attack still delivered, underscoring the depth India has built in age-group cricket. Notably, this is a 3-0 series result — a scoreline that reflects dominance across all three Youth ODIs, not merely a final-day flourish.
What's Next for India U-19
Attention now shifts to the longer format, with India U-19 set to take on Australia U-19 in the first red-ball game in Rajkot starting 27 September. The series win will sharpen the side's confidence heading into the four-day contest.
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*, Rajat Baghel 44*; Jacob Pietz 1/41) by six wickets.
Point of View
In a dead rubber, which is exactly when young captains either coast or prove themselves. The fact that India rotated their playing eleven and still won comfortably suggests a squad culture, not just individual brilliance. The forthcoming red-ball game will be a sharper test: day-night conditions in Rajkot demand a different temperament, and how this side handles the longer format will reveal whether this generation has genuine Test-match DNA.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the third India U-19 vs Australia U-19 Youth ODI in Rajkot?
India U-19 won by six wickets, chasing down 255 with more than eight overs to spare. The victory gave India a 3-0 series whitewash over Australia U-19.
How did Lakshya Raichandani perform in the final Youth ODI?
Captain Lakshya Raichandani scored an unbeaten 110 off 106 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. Having not converted his starts in the first two games, he anchored the chase masterfully to seal the series win.
Who were the top performers for India U-19 with the ball?
Pacers Mohit Ulva (3/42) and Manal Chauhan (3/48) picked up three wickets each to lead India's bowling effort. Local debutant Aryan Savsani also contributed by dismissing Zed Hollick, which triggered Australia's middle-order collapse.
How did Australia U-19 perform with the bat?
Zed Hollick top-scored for Australia with 87 off 88 balls, including 12 boundaries, and put on a 62-run second-wicket stand with Neel Patel (51). However, after Hollick's dismissal, Australia collapsed and were bowled out for 254 in 48.4 overs.
What is the next fixture for India U-19 after the Youth ODI series?
India U-19 will face Australia U-19 in a red-ball game in Rajkot starting 27 September, shifting the contest to the four-day format.
