Lakshya Raichandani for India U19 [Source: SLC]Lakshya Raichandani has given Indian cricket another reason to keep an eye on its next generation. The 17-year-old produced a breathtaking double century against Australia Under-19 in the first Youth Test at Rajkot on September 27, turning what was already a promising young career into a performance that demanded attention.Batting at the top of India's order, Raichandani faced 249 deliveries to score the double century. His marathon knock came as India Under-19 reached 430/8 at stumps on Day 2, establishing a 213-run lead over Australia. More than the number itself, the innings reflected the temperament of a batter willing to stay at the crease long after reaching three figures. However, there is considerably more to Raichandani's story than one spectacular score.Who is Lakshya Raichandani?Born on October 15, 2008, Lakshya Rajesh Raichandani is a right-handed top-order batter who can also bowl right-arm off-break occassionally. He is only 17, yet has already experienced senior domestic cricket and international age-group cricket.To get better knowledge of his experience, let’s wind back a little. Raichandani's journey took an unusual turn when he left home at the age of 10 to move to Uttarakhand in pursuit of his cricketing ambitions. He progressed through the state's Under-16 and Under-19 systems before making his first-class debut for Uttarakhand against Tripura in January 2026.His first-class numbers before the Australia U19 Test showed three half-centuries in four matches, with 223 runs at an average of 44.60. Although his senior career is still in its infancy, the move through domestic cricket has given him an early taste of the demands of longer-format batting.Also Read- "We Hardly Talk..": Virat Kohli-Shubman Gill Banter ContinuesFrom 207 Against Sri Lanka to 210* Against AustraliaLakshya Raichandani's 2026 has been a rapid sequence of milestones. During India's Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka in July, he announced himself in the multi-day format with a remarkable 207 off 324 balls in the first Youth Test at Galle.He followed that with another century in the second Test, scoring 100 off 116 deliveries after making a duck in the first innings. Across the three innings he batted in the series, he accumulated 307 runs at an extraordinary average of 153.50. Australia brought another challenge, but Raichandani's bat continued to provide the answer.He was handed the captaincy for India's three-match Youth ODI series against Australia and finished the campaign with an unbeaten 110 off 106 balls in the final match at Rajkot. India completed a 3-0 clean sweep, with his parents present in the stands to witness his century.Only days later, Raichandani returned to the longer format as India's vice-captain and produced an even bigger innings. His unbeaten 210 against Australia U19 became the latest entry in a rapidly expanding list of significant scores.A Young Virat Kohli Fan With an Old-School ApproachWhat makes Lakshya Raichandani's recent run particularly intriguing is the manner in which he builds his innings. His 210 came from 256 balls, while his earlier 207 against Sri Lanka required 324 deliveries. The numbers underline an appetite for occupying the crease rather than simply chasing quick runs.He is a fan of Virat Kohli and admires Joe Root, two batters known for their ability to combine technical discipline with sustained run-making. That temperament is also reflected in the way Raichandani describes his approach. He has spoken about staying in the present, following his routine and avoiding distractions around the game. “The mindset was just situation-based, depending on what the situation was, and there wasn’t much else in my mind,” he said earlier to Sportstar. Away from cricket, he switches off by listening to music, watching matches or spending time with friends.Nevertheless, now, at 17, Lakshya Raichandani has already produced 207, 110* and 210* in the space of a few months. The numbers are growing quickly, but Raichandani's immediate focus remains uncomplicated with probably a IPL 2027 call-up on the cards after his red-ball heroics.Also Read- Ellyse Perry’s Future Announced By RCB After WPL 2026 Miss
