Vijay Zol`s double ton puts Maharashtra in command against Tripura

Pune: India U-19 skipper Vijay Zol smashed a terrific unbeaten double hundred and opener Harshad Khadiwale scored a century as Maharashtra gained upperhand over Tripura at the end of Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy Group C match, here on Tuesday.

Resuming the day on 133 for one, overnight batsmen Zol and Khadiwale put on a splendid 199-run partnership as Maharashtra declared on an imposing 460 for three in their first innings while Tripura were one wicket down on 28 at stumps - still 128 runs behind - at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here. The day belonged to 18-year-old Zol, who carted Tripura bowlers all around the park and hit 19 fours and a six in his 324-ball knock. Zol`s superb batting display somewhat overshadowed a solid 112 off 228 by Khadiwale, who had 13 boundaries and a six against his name. Khadiwale started on 64 while Zol was unbeaten on 42 last evening. Zol shared century stands with Kedar Jadhav (57) and Sangram Dilp Atitkar (54 not out) for the third and fourth wicket respectively to take the hosts past Tripura`s first innings score of 304. Abbas Ali (1/23), Manisankar Murasingh (1/65) and Rana Dutta (1/80) grabbed a wicket each for the visitors. Subhrajit Roy (12) and Abhijit Dey (4) were at the crease for Tripura while KB Pawan was dismissed for 10 in their second innings. In another Group C match in Guwahati, riding on Sanju Samson`s (211) double century, Kerala gained a crucial first innings lead against Assam in the third day`s play. Kerala were dismissed for 362 in reply to Assam first innings total of 323, courtesy four wickets apiece from spinners J Syed Mohammad (4/87) and Arlen Konwar (4/94) after visitors started the day on 119 for three. At the close of play, Assam were 13 for no loss at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. 18-year-old Samson did the bulk of scoring for side as his teammates found it difficult to stay put at the crease. Holding one end up, Samson stitched important partnerships with P Anthaf (19), Robert Fernandez (27) and C Shahid (11) to guide his past Assam`s first innings score. Samson`s entertaining knock came of 327 balls, including 23 fours and five maximums. At Uppal, Hyderabad wrested the initiative from Andhra as their bowlers led by India spinner Pragyan Ojha scuttled their opponent`s batting for 185 thereby taking first innings lead. Hyderabad were 96 for two in the second innings with T Suman (17) and G Hanuma Vihari (13) at the crease. The two batsmen dismissed were Akshath Reddy (26) and D Ravi Teja (37) as Hyderabad stand 132 runs ahead at the end of day three. Andhra, who started the day on 85 for one, squandered a solid start as overnight batsmen Prasanth Kumar (47) and Marripuri Suresh (20) were early in the day. Ojha (3/59) along with medium pacer Ashish Reddy (3/49) made inroads into Andhra`s middle order, pegging them 114 for six. Pacer Chama Milind (1/36) and Ravi Kiran (2/36) did the rest for Hyderabad as they put the Andhra batting to rest 36 run behind their first innings score of 221. D Shivkumar did put up some resistance but was bowled for 39 by Ravi Kiran. He hit seven boundaries in his brief knock and was the second highest scorer after Kumar.