Captain Lakshya slams 110 as India U19 beat AUS U19 by 6 wickets to win One-Day series 3-0

India Under-19 captain Lakshya Raichandani slammed an unbeaten century as the hosts beat Australia Under-19 by six wickets in the third One-Day game to clinch series 3-0. In the third 50-over game of the series at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, India U19 chased down the target of 255 with six wickets in hand and 52 balls to spare.

Raichandani anchors run chase

In the run chase, Raichandani and Aaryavir Sehwag got India off to a flying start. The Sehwag Jr. looked to hit boundaries in the powerplay overs. He contributed with a 31-ball 34. He lost his wicket to Jacob Pietz in the eighth over. The openers shared a 58-run partnership. VK Vineeth took his time to settle at the crease. After just one run from 16 balls, he smashed a six. In the 15th over, he was knocked over by Spencer Green. He scored 10 runs from 23 balls. 

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Raichandani continued to play the anchor role and looked to build a partnership with Kushagra Ojha. In the 22nd over, Raichandani reached his fifty with a six. The partnership was broken by Green in the 31st over with Ojha's wicket. He missed out on a half-century, scoring 45 runs from 53 balls including four fours and a six. In the next over, Will Byrom dismissed Arjun Rajput bowled for a six-ball duck. 

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Despite wickets falling on the other end, India kept on the right track. Rajat Bhagel took the attacking route and cleared the fence a couple of times. In the 40th over, Raichandani reached his century from 100 deliveries. On the second ball of the 42nd over, India completed the run chase. Raichandani scored 110 runs from 106 balls featuring nine fours and three sixes. On the other end, Bhagel contributed with an unbeaten 34-ball 44 laced with five fours and a couple of sixes.

Hollick misses century

Earlier, Australian skipper Jack Czosnek won the toss and opted to bat first. Zed Hollick looked to score at a rapid rate. The opening partnership between him and Charlie Henderson lasted 64 runs as the latter was run out by Manal Chauhan for a 31-ball 18 in the 13th over. Hollick reached his fifty from 46 balls in the 14th over. Aryan Savsani, in the 25th over, ended Hollick's stay at the crease. the opener scored 87 runs from 88 balls, including 12 fours.

Manal knocked over Matthew Lough in the 32nd over for a 19-ball 11. In the 37th over, Indian-origin batter Neel Patel completed his half-century from 69 balls. In the 39th over, he was dismissed by Mohit Ulva. Patel scored 51 runs from 71 balls including just one boundary. Manal struck twice in consecutive overs, dismissing Eli Brain and Blake Cattle. Brain scored 11 runs from 14 balls whereas Cattle contributed with a 31-ball 38. Their lowere order failed to make a mark as the visitors were bowled out for 254 in 49.3 overs. Apart from Manal, Ulva claimed three wickets as well.

After losing the One-Day series, the Australia U19 team will take on India U19 in two unofficial Tests starting September 27.