He represented the United States in World Youth Championships in Greece, Slovenia, and South Africa.

[6] In 2017, Balakrishnan won the Denker Tournament of High School Champions, and he defended his title in 2018.

Balakrishnan won the gold medal at the 2019 North American Junior U20 Championship with a score of 7/9, earning him his 1st GM norm.

[8] He then earned his 2nd GM norm by tying for first place in the 2019 U.S. Masters Chess Championship with a score of 6.5/9.

[9] Balakrishnan tied for first place in the Charlotte Chess Center's Thanksgiving 2020 GM Norm Invitational with a score of 6.5/9, bringing his FIDE rating above 2500.