Swapnil Gugale's maiden ton leads Maharashtra to 312 for 6 on day 1

Pune: Opener Swapnil Gugale (174) struck his maiden first class hundred to help Maharashtra post 312 for six on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group B cricket match against Delhi, here on Wednesday.

Playing only his fourth first class game, 23-year-old Gugale almost batted through the day, facing 243 balls in his stupendous knock, which was embellished with 25 boundaries, including two sixes.

While Gugale kept the one end tight, other Maharashtra batsmen struggled to stay on the wicket as the hosts kept losing wickets.

It was not until number seven batsman Chirag Khurana (55 batting) joined Gugale that the hosts enjoyed a stable partnership.

Not even a single middle-order batsman crossed the 20-run mark and the hosts were struggling at 166 for five. Gugale and Khurana then raised a 106-run stand for the sixth wicket, which was broken when the opener was done in by Manan Sharma.

Giving Khurana company at the end of the day was Shrikant Mundhe (16).

Delhi's decision to field was not a bad one but it was Gugale who negated the good work done by the bowlers.

Brief Scores:

Maharashtra 1st innings: 312 for 6 in 90 overs.(Swapnil Gugale 174, Chirag Khurana 55 batting; Sumit Narwal 1/30).