Maharashtra take first innings lead against Vidarbha

Opener Viraj Awate's superb first-class debut continued as he scored an unbeaten half-century to help Maharashtra take an overall 111-run lead against Vidarbha in their Group B Ranji Trophy match, in Nagpur, on Monday.

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Samad Fallah took three wickets for 45 runs while Shrikant Mundhe and Chirag Khurana chipped in with two wickets apiece as the hosts were bundled out for 266 after beginning the day at 123 for three in response to Maharashtra's first innings total of 282.

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Vidarbha's two overnight batsmen, Faiz Fazal (61) and skipper Hemang Badani (47) fell in the morning session. Gaurav Upadhyaya then waged a lone battle and scored 77 off 141 balls, laced with eight fours and three sixes.

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Maharashtra's second innings did not start well as they lost two wickets for 34 runs with pacer Shrikant Wagh accounting for Harshad Khadiwale (9) and Sangram Atitkar being run-out for two by Faiz Fazal.

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Ankit Bawane (5) too did not last long as the early losses leave the visitors staring down the barrel at 62 for three.

Awate, who had scored 126 out of Maharashtra's 282 in the first innings, once again lifted the side out of the precarious situation with his unbeaten 93-ball 54, laced with 10 fours.

At stumps, Maharashtra were 95 for three with skipper Mohit Motwani giving him company on 19. The duo put on 33 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket.

Brief Scores:
Maharashtra: 282 and 95 for 3 in 30 overs (Virag Awate 54 batting, Shrikant Wagh 1/29)
Vidarbha: 266 all out in 114.1 overs (Gaurav Upadhyaya 77, Faiz Fazal 61, Samad Fallah 3/45, Shrikant Mundhe 2/39).