Pankaj Dharmani scored a century after resuming his interrupted knock, and was also involved in a stand of 123 runs for the tenth wicket with Luv Ablish, as Punjab took control of their Elite Group B Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra in Kolhapur on Monday.

Dharmani, who had retired hurt on 71 on the opening day of the four-day fixture on Sunday, returned at the fall of the eighth wicket (417) to remain unconquered on 113, inclusive of 12 fours and a six, in Punjab's massive first innings score of 550.

He also put the Maharashtra attack to the sword with last-man Ablish, who slammed a run-a-ball 76, inclusive of three sixes and nine fours.

Their last wicket partnership also bettered the previous best for the wicket at the venue (Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium), which was 54 between Saurashtra's A Thakkar and N Parsana in 1971-72.

Also among the runs was Bipul Sharma, who carried on from his overnight 16, to make 93, inclusive of nine fours and a six, as Punjab were finally dismissed soon after tea after commencing the day at 278 for 5.

Leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule bagged a five-wicket haul, but at a huge cost of 160 runs in 56 overs, while R Jadhav took 3 for 136.

In reply, the hosts had progressed to 50 for one by close in 16 overs, opener Harshad Khadiwale being the batsman out for 5.

Dheeraj Jadhav and Hrishikesh Kanitkar were unbeaten on 27 and 15 respectively at stumps.

Scorecard

Punjab (1st innings): (overnight 278 for 5)
Ravneet Ricky c Kanitkar b Bahutule 56
Karan Goel st Satbhai b R Jadhav 91
Sunny Sohal c Sanklecha b R Jadhav 8
Pankaj Dharmani not out 113
Gaurav Gupta c Khadiwale b R Jadhav 16
Uday Kaul st Satbhai b Bahutule 7
Bipul Sharma c Sriram b Bahutule 93
Ishan Malhotra c Kanitkar b Bahutule 27
Rajesh Sharma c Paradkar b Bahutule 23
Amanpreet Singh lbw Dole 3
Luv Ablish lbw Sriram 76
Extras: (b 3, b 16, nb 15, wb 3) 37
Total: (all out in 161.3 overs) 550

Fall of wickets: 1-112, 2-147, 3-168, 4-225, 5-241, 6-332, 7-408, 8-417, 9-427.

Bowling: Sanklecha 25-4-83-0, Dole 21-2-72-1, Khadiwale 5-1-16-0, Bahutule 56-9-160-5, R Jadhav 41-6-136-3, Sriram 12.3-1-43-1, Kanitkar 1-0-21-0.

Maharashtra (1st innings):
Harshad Khadiwale lbw Amanpreet Singh 5
Dheeraj Jadhav batting 27
Hrishikesh Kanitkar batting 15
Extras: (lb 1, nb 1, wb 1) 3
Total: (for one wkt in 16 overs) 50

Fall of wickets: 1-15

Bowling: Ablish 4-0-21-0, Amanpreet Singh 6-1-13-1, Rajesh Sharma 4-2-12-0, Malhotra 2-0-3-0.