Maharashtra sitting pretty

Dhiraj Jadhav's splendid century (126 not out) and Hrishikesh Kanitkar's unbeaten 82 helped Maharashtra tighten their grip on the Ranji Trophy Plate semi-final against Haryana in Pune on Monday.

In reply to Haryana's first innings score of 236, the hosts finished the day on 260 for one at the Nehru Stadium.

Earlier, resuming at their overnight score of 218 for six, Haryana were all out at 236 in 102.3 overs. Barring Shafiq Khan, who scored a century, all other batsmen came up with pathetic performances.

The visitors, apparently could not withstand Maharashtra's fiery bowling and were in deep trouble from the start as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Middle order batsman Shafiq Khan was the only person for Haryana who played an attacking game scoring 114 runs studded with 13 hits to the fence.

Gaurav Vashisth and Saurabh Viramani could not open their accounts while J Sharma was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just one. 

In response, Maharashtra opener Jadhav gave a rollicking start to his team. He hit as many as 18 fours during his 249-ball knock.

Niranjan Godbole (35) was the lone home batsman to be dismissed when he was snared by Vinay Singh.

Scoreboard:

Haryana 1st innings (overnight 218 for 6)
J Siwach c Kanitkar b Khirid 29
Chetan Sharma run out 14
Sunny Singh b Siddiqui 18
Ishan Ganda b Adhav 23
Shafiq Khan b Siddiqui 114
A Ratra c Godbole b Adhav 9
J Sharma b Adhav 1
Amit Mishra run out 15
Vinay Singh not out 4
Gaurav Vashisht c Satbhai b Khirid 0
Saurabh Virmani b R Khirid 0

Extras: (lb-3, nb-5, wb-1) 9

Total: (all out in 102.3 overs) 236

Fall of wickets: 1/36, 2/52, 3/66, 4/104, 5/152, 6/154, 7/223, 8/230, 9/231, 10/236.

Bowling: I Siddiqui 26-8-51-2, R Khirid 24.3-6-52-3, C Kulkarni 13-3-38-0, K Adhav 25-12-40-3, H Kanitkar 7-1-23-0, K Khadkikar 7-0-29-0.

Maharashtra 1st innings:
D Jadhav not out 126
N Godbole c Vinay Singh b A Mishra 35
H Kanitkar not out 82

Extras: (b-5, nb-10, wb-2) 17

Total (for one wicket in 75 overs) 260

Fall of wickets: 1/85.

Bowling: J Sharma 15-2-45-0, S Virmani 9-0-48-0, S Singh 4-1-12-0, A Mishra 17-2-67-1, G Vashisht 14-7-41-0, V Singh 15-3-41-0, I Ganda 1-0-1-0.