Madhya Pradesh were trailing by 251 runs on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Plate Championship against Maharashtra at the Nehru Stadium in Pune on Sunday.

Resuming at their overnight score of 26 for one, Madhya Pradesh were 250 for loss of five wickets in reply to Maharashtra's huge first innings total of 501.

Though Madhya Pradesh made a good opening when Naman Ojha made 79, the other batsmen could not stay for long at the crease and wickets started tumbling.

Syed Abbas Ali made 33, while Nikhil Patwardhan and Sachin Dholpure contributed 13 and 38 respectively.

Devendra Bundela (48) and Rahul Bakshi (10) were at the crease when the stumps were drawn.

For Maharashtra Iqbal Siddiqui took three wickets while Kiran Adhav sent two batsmen to the pavilion.

Scorecard:

Maharashtra first innings: 501

Madhya Pradesh first innings:
Mudassar Pasha c S Satbhai B I Siddiqui 13
Naman Ojha c S Satbhai B K Adhav 79
Sachin Dholpure ct K Aphale B K Adhav 38
Devendra Bundela not out 48
Syed Abbas Ali ct R Khirid b I Siddiqui 33
Nikhil Patwardhan c&b I Siddiqui 13
Rahul Bakshi not out 10

Extras (b-6, lb-1, nb-9)16

Total (5 wicket, 99 overs) 250

Fall of Wickets: 1/20, 2/122, 3/149, 4/198, 5/231,

Bowling: Iqbal Siddiqui 25-7-59-3, Ranjit Khirid 17-7-33-0, Sachin Nair 13-2-47-0, Kiran Adhav 31-10-66-2, Dhruv Mohan 5-2-16-0, K Khadkikar 8-1-22-0.