Maharashtra reach 339-3 against UP on day one in Ranji Trophy

Pune: Kedar Jadhav blasted an unbeaten run-a-ball century as Maharashtra produced a powerful batting display to post 339 for three against Uttar Pradesh on day one of the Ranji Trophy Group B match, here on Friday.

Jadhav (102) cracked as many as 20 boudaries 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 wicket for Uttar Pradesh at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. 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 to strike the first blow. 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, removing Khadiwale in the 53rd over. The opener hit eight fours in his 146-ball stay. Atitkar too did not last long after that and 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 in between them in a span of 29.4 overs to put Maharashtra on the driver`s seat. Brief Score: Maharashtra: 339-3 in 90 overs (K Jadav 102 not out, S Atitkar 80; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/48). PTI