Raichandani's 240 outshines Cattle's twin tons as India U19 beat Australia U19 in 1st Youth Test

The Yashbardhan Chauhan-led India Under-19 beat Australia U19 in the first Youth Test of the series by an innings and 48 runs. On September 29, India wrapped up Australia's second innings for 229 as they registered a thumping win against Matthew Lough's Australia. Opener Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani starred with 240, outshining Blake Cattle's twin centuries.

After Day 2, Stumps, India were 430/8 with Raichandani on 210 and Mohit Ulva at 58. Raichandani fell for 240, losing his wicket to Theo Tsingos. Raichandani’s 240 off 281 balls is the highest score in youth Tests against Australia. Also, it is the second-highest score for India in youth Tests. Then, no.10 batter Ulva missed his ton. He lost his wicket to Tsingos for an 84-ball 92 laced with 10 fours and four sixes. India posted 494 on the board from 102.3 overs, taking a 277-run lead at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.

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Australia suffer collapse, Cattle stands tall, Yashbardhan takes 6-fer

In reply, Neel Patel and Hayden Barbulovic got off to a cautious start. After 15 runs from 10 overs, Ishan Om broke the partnership with Barbulovic's wicket. Then, he struck twice more in the over getting rid of Lough and Zed Hollick off consecutive deliveries. At the end of first session, Australia were 35/3.

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Cattle looked to attack in the second session. On the other end, Patel got bowled by Yashbardhan. He scored 41 runs from 78 balls. In his next over, Yashbardhan struck twice to send Eli Brain and Charlie Henderson back to the dressing room.

Meanwhile, Cattle continued to fire from the other end. Kasey Barton failed to make an impact and lost his wicket to Yasbardhan. Cattle targeted Om, hitting him for two fours and a six in an over. He smashed Ulva for two sixes and a four in an over. At the end of second session, Australia were 180/7, needing 97 more runs to avoid innings defeat.

In the 49th over, Cattle reached his century from 95 balls. The eighth-wicket partnership was broken by Yashbardhan's wicket. Cattle got bowled for an 114-ball 123. His knock featured 16 fours and four sixes. In the next two overs, Om and Yashbardhan wrapped up Australia's innings. Connor Gregory was the last to fall for an 88-ball 36. Australia were bowled out for 229, losing the match by an innings and 48 runs. Yashbardhan bagged six wickets whereas Om claimed four. In the first innings Om had claimed a fifer whereas Yashbardhan accounted for two scalps.

Cattle scripts history

Cattle's fight stood out for Australia. In the first innings, he had scored 102 in his side's score of 217. He is only the eighth batter to score a century each in both innings of a youth Tests. For Australia, he is the first batter in nearly three decades to achieve the feat. In 1997, Marcus North had scored 200 not out and 132 against Pakistan Under-19 side.