Debutant Mayank Tehlan struck a determined century to help Delhi take a huge lead of 162 runs against Maharashtra in the Ranji Tophy Elite Group 'A' match at Jamia Milia University grounds in Delhi.

Riding on Mayank's 176 and Kunall Lall's 51, Delhi piled up 370 on the third day before declaring an hour before the end of play.

- Ranji Trophy 2005-06: Complete coverage

At stumps, Maharashtra were 16 for no loss with openers M Nigde (9) and D Jadhav (7) making a cautious start.

Delhi were sitting pretty as the lead ensured them two points which would open their account for the season.

With a day's play left and runs to back the bowlers, the hosts would be going full throttle tomorrow to force a win.

Mayank, who was included in the squad after the batting line-up twice failed to put up a decent score, was an epitome of temperament and determination.

Resuming at his overnight score of 76, the promising U-19 player batted with purpose and resolve as he went on to achieve his debut century.

The youngster showed maturity beyond his age as even after reaching the three digit mark, he was composed and showed the knack of playing long innings.

Munaf Patel [Images] took the wickets of Pradeep Chawla and Varun Kumar and reduced the vistors to 197 for six before Chetnya Nanda scored a valuable 25 and shared a 70-run stand with Tehlan.

Tehlan, who struck eight boundaries and reached his century in 412 balls, became the sixth player to score a century on debut for Delhi.

Scorecard

Maharashtra (1st innings): 208

Delhi (1st innings):
A Chopra lbw b Patel 24
S Dhawan c Mohan b Burkul 6
M Tehlan lbw b Mohan 176
M Manhas lbw b Burkul 21
R Bhatia lbw b Burkul 24
P Chawla c Satbhai b Patel 8
Varun Kumar lbw b Patel 8
C Nanda c Satbhai b Bahutule 25
Kunal Lal run out (Bahutule) 51
A Bhandari not out 5
Extras: (b 10, lb 3, w 1, nb 8) 22
Total: (9 wickets dec, 162.2 overs) 370

Did not bat: M Deewan.

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-70, 3-110, 4-161, 5-176, 6-197, 7-267, 8-363, 9-370.

Bowling: Patel 43-10-88-3 (5nb), Burkul 31-6-97-3 (1w), Bahutule 51-19-73-1 (1nb), Mohan 8.2-1-18-1 (2nb)
RP Jadhav 23-2-61-0, Kanitkar 6-0-20-0.

Maharashtra (2nd innings):
MR Nigde not out 9
DS Jadhav not out 7
Extras: (nb 1) 1
Total: (for no loss, 16.2 overs) 17

To bat: HH Kanitkar, KD Aphale, SV Bahutule, AV Kale, D Mohan, SA Satbhai, MM Patel, SR Burkul, RP Jadhav.

Bowling: Bhandari 5-1-8-0 (1nb), Kunal Lal 5-3-6-0, Deewan 2-1-2-0, Nanda 2.2-2-0-0, Manhas 2-1-1-0.