With family by his side, Lakshya Raichandani keeps his cricket simple

From Sunday, Lakshya will move into the multi-day tournament as vice-captain, with Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan taking over as captain. | Photo Credit: Shayan Acharya

Lakshya Raichandani had been waiting for the runs. His parents had been waiting too.

They were in the stands at the Niranjan Shah Stadium a couple of days ago when the India Under-19 captain finally got to three figures. As a boundary took him to his century, they stood up and applauded.

For Lakshya, it was a moment he could enjoy. The runs had not come in the first two matches of the Youth ODI series against Australia, despite getting starts. India had already taken control of the series, but Lakshya wanted to finish his campaign with a contribution of his own.

With four players rested for the final game, he knew he had to adapt to the demands of the match. “The mindset was just to play according to the situation. There wasn’t anything else in my mind,” he told Sportstar.

Chasing 255, he wanted to stay at one end and take the game deep.

“The mindset was just situation-based, depending on what the situation was, and there wasn’t much else in my mind,” he said.

This time, the runs came. Lakshya remained unbeaten as India completed a clean sweep against Australia.

“It feels really good. And to remain unbeaten in a winning match, there is nothing better than that in cricket. It was really good, and there wasn’t any pressure either. I enjoyed it,” he said.

His parents were there to see it. They have been there for much of his journey.

Lakshya came to Uttarakhand when he was 10 and went through the under-16 and under-19 levels before playing Ranji Trophy cricket. His home is now in Noida, but he continues to practise in Uttarakhand.

“I have learnt all my cricket there,” he said.

His family, he said, has never stood in the way of his cricket. “My family has never stopped me from doing anything. They have supported me a lot,” he said.

Perhaps that is why his parents and elder brother accompanied him on the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year. They were also in Rajkot when he scored his century.

There is a quietness about Lakshya when he talks about himself. He is shy, often more comfortable letting his cricket do the talking. But there is already some experience behind him. He has played First-Class cricket for Uttarakhand, scoring 223 runs in four outings, including three half-centuries.

Now comes another challenge.

From Sunday, he will move into the multi-day tournament as vice-captain, with Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan taking over as captain. The format will change, but he does not see the need to make too much of it.

“I don’t think there is much change because it is just about changing your mindset. With red-ball cricket, you have to be a little more technical. There isn’t anything too different. We will practise for two or three days and the rhythm will come,” he said.

For someone who is still getting used to the attention that comes with being a young cricketer, Lakshya’s approach is uncomplicated. “The focus remains on cricket. I just try to stay focused and not get distracted by things around me. I simply follow my routine,” he said.

Away from the field, he gives himself some space from the game. “I switch off a little. I don’t think about cricket. I watch some match or do something fun, some kind of fun activity,” he said.

“I listen to songs sometimes. I look at something on my phone, and that helps me switch off and feel a little free. Or I talk to my friends. When I go back to my room, I switch off quite a bit…”

He is a fan of Virat Kohli and admires Joe Root. But there is no rush to think about what comes next. There is another format, another responsibility and another season ahead. For now, Lakshya is taking it one step at a time.

“I am staying in the present. I am not thinking too far ahead,” he said.

The cameras still make him a little uncomfortable. Public attention remains unfamiliar territory. But away from all that, his lakshya is clear: to wear the national colours at the highest level someday.

Published on Sep 25, 2026

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