India U19 captain Lakshya Raichandani is gearing up for the U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan U19 after a decisive win over Afghanistan in the semi-finals. Raichandani aims to avenge the team's 2025 final loss, expressing confidence in a strong performance.

India U19 captain Lakshya Raichandani is focused on the U19 Asia Cup final against Pakistan U19 after taking the team to the title match with a commanding victory over Afghanistan at Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 2) in Al Amerat, Muscat, on Thursday. In an attempt to get revenge for the Ayush Mhatre-led team's 191-run final humiliation in 2025, Raichandani is looking for a 'good final' against the reigning champions, Pakistan. "Yeah, it's going to be a good final, and everyone's waiting for that. And yeah, hopefully we put up a good show.," Raichandani said in the post-match after leading his team to an eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan U19.

With eight victories, India is the most successful team in the U19 Asia Cup; Bangladesh and Pakistan have each won twice. Pakistan U19 defeated Bangladesh U19 in the other last-four match, while India easily defeated Afghanistan, the 2017 champions, in their semi-final of the 2026 edition.

After losing to Bangladesh in the 2024 U19 Asia Cup final, India will get the opportunity to exact revenge for their 2025 defeat.

India has only dropped one match in the current competition, and that was in the group stage against Pakistan. Raichandani hit his second fifty of the competition in the semi-final, a calm 93 from 90 balls, and they were playing nicely.

"Yeah, definitely disappointed (to miss a hundred) but the team got over the line, that's what matters," said Lakshya on his innings. He took the attack to the opposition while opening the batting and smashed 13 fours and a six to anchor the chase. Aaryavir Sehwag (51), who scored 160 against the UAE in the league stage, and VK Vineeth (57*) also scored half-centuries to help India U19 chase down the target in 36.5 overs.

"I was just trying to play freely and play my game and just play the situation. And it worked out well. Yeah, I think again it's a good toss to lose. We were consistent with what we had planned, and that's what we are looking for. We have to be consistent for a longer period of time to be ahead in the game," he said.

Raichandani praised Indian spinners Manal Chauhan and Yashbardhan Chauhan for their skill with the ball in the middle overs, which kept the Afghanistan U19 batters at bay.

"Yeah, they bowled really well. That's what we are looking for, to bowl tight overs in the middle. And they bowled really well," he added.