Middle-order batsman Sangram Atitkar hammered a listless Bengal attack into submission with a brilliant 168 as Maharashtra took a mammoth first innings lead to set sights on an innings victory by stumps on the second day of Ranji Trophy semi-final in Indore.
Kedar Jadhav blasted an unbeaten run-a-ball century as Maharashtra produced a powerful batting display to post 339 for 3 against Uttar Pradesh on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy Group B match, in Pune, on Friday. Jadhav (102) hit as many as 20 boundaries in his 102-ball innings, while Harshad Khadiwale (68) and Sangram Atitkar (80) laid the foundation with brilliant half-centuries.
A captain's innings by Harshad Khadiwale and useful contributions with the bat from Kedar Jadav, Ankit Bawne and Azhar Ansari guided Maharashtra to a six-wicket victory over defending champions Saurashtra in the West Zone Ranji Trophy one-day tournament in Rajkot on Monday. Chasing a target of 215, Maharashtra put up 217 runs in 42.1 overs.
Pacer Ranadeb Bose grabbed five-wicket as Bengal bundled out Maharashtra for 179 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match in Pune on Tuesday.
Half-centuries from Ankit Bawne and Chirag Khurana frustrated Karnataka and helped Maharashtra finish the opening day on a respectable 272 for five in the Ranji Trophy final in Hyderabad.
The right-arm medium pacer caused Maharashtra's batsmen a lot of problems with his extra bounce on a green Wankhede wicket, taking four wickets for 62 runs as Maharashtra struggled to 219 for 7 in 57 overs in their first innings, at stumps on the second day, in reply to Mumbai's 402 all out.
Ganesh Satish slammed an unbeaten 117 and shared 216 runs with opener Lokesh Rahul (94 batting) as Karnataka took control of their Ranji Trophy summit clash against Maharashtra on the second day in Hyderabad.
India discards Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag finally got back among the runs as the duo struck fluent half-centuries to help Delhi outclass Haryana by three wickets in the North Zone leg of the Vijay Hazare One Day Tournament, in Dharamsala, on Wednesday.
Harshad Khadiwale hit a fine century as following on Maharashtra produced a much-better batting effort to finish day three on 315 for two against Karnataka.
Opener Virag Awate smashed an unbeaten century on debut to guide Maharashtra to 227 for three against Vidarbha at stumps on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Goup B match in Nagpur.
Kedar Jadhav continued his glorious form in the Ranji Trophy with a sparkling century as Karnataka maintained their upper hand despite a spirited fightback by Maharashtra on Day 4 of their Ranji Trophy final in Hyderabad.
Wriddhiman Saha's century went in vain as Maharashtra crushed Bengal by a convincing margin of 10 wickets to storm into the final of the Ranji Trophy, in Indore.
Maharashtra needs 224 runs to make it to the semi-finals after Anupam Sanklecha leads a fightback, claiming four Mumbai wickets for 57 runs. Harish Kotian reports
A summary of the Ranji Trophy matches played on Sunday.
A summary of the second day's play in the Ranji Trophy matches.
Round-up of the Ranji Trophy matches being played in different parts of the country