Maharashtra were 296 for 4 in their first innings at stumps on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Division Group B match against Gujarat at Golf Grounds in Nashik on Thursday.

Replying to Gujarat's first innings score of 369, the hosts rode on three 80-plus partnerships and were 74 runs short of opening up a first innings lead and securing at least two points from the tie.

The absence of Gujarat seamer Hitesh Majumdar, who sustained an injury to his finger on Wednesday, coupled with poor catching, helped Maharashtra build partnerships of 87 runs, 90 runs and an unbeaten 99 for the second, third and fourth wickets respectively.

Earlier, resuming at 72 for 1, Maharashtra lost stylish southpaw Hrishikesh Kanitkar first with his individual score reading 45, an addition of just six runs to his overnight score.

Kanitkar and the other overnight batsman, opener Harshad Khadiwale, made 87 runs for the second wicket.

Yogesh Takawale, who was in a punishing mood and hit two towering sixes, was initially dropped by wicket keeper Parthiv Patel.

Takawale made a breezy 57 that included five boundaries. He was caught by Patel off Makda's bowling after which a well-set Khadiwale (73, eight fours) also succumbed to Makda's bowling. Khadiwale and Takawale added 90 runs for the third wicket.

S Sriram and Mansingh Nigade were at the crease at the end of the day, already adding 98 runs for the fifth wicket.

Scorecard

Gujarat (1st innings): 369

Maharashtra (1st innings):
Harshad Khadiwale c Damani b Makda 73
Dheeraj Jadhav c Parthiv Patel b Damani 8
Hrishikesh Kanitkar b Makda 45
Yogesh Takwale c P Patel b Makda 57
S Sriram batting 53
Mansingh Nigade batting 44
Extras: (b-2,lb-6,nb-3,p-5) 16
Total: (for 4 wickets in 123 overs) 296

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-107, 3-197, 4-198.

Bowling: Ashraf Makda 32-7-79-3, Hitesh Majumdar 4.4-0-17-0, Azhar Bilakhia 11.2-1-21-0, Kirit Damani 32-14-57-1, Sahil Patel 32-10-63-0, Timil Patel 11-1-46-0.