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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.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped two wickets, while leg-spinner Piyush Chawla took one, at the Subrata Roy Sahara stadium.
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Electing to bat, Maharashtra had a good start as Khadiwale and Chirag Khurana added 42 runs in 15.5 overs, before the latter was dismissed by Chawla.
However, Khadiwale and Atitkar forged a brilliant 110-run partnership for the second wicket to take Maharashtra past the 150-mark. Kumar then dealt the second blow, dismissing Khadiwale in the 53rd over.
The opener hit eight fours in his 146-ball stay.
Atitkar too did not last long after that; he was cleaned up by Kumar in the 61st over. His 155-ball innings was studded with 15 boundaries.
However, Kedar and Ankit Bawne kept the scoreboard ticking and shared an unfinished 152-run partnership for the fourth wicket at more than five runs per over to consolidate Maharashtra's position.
The duo took the bowlers to the cleaners and shared as many as 30 fours between themselves in a span of 29.4 overs to put Maharashtra in the driver's seat.
Brief scores:
Maharashtra: 339-3 in 90 overs (K Jadav 102 not out, S Atitkar 80; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-48).