Khurana`s century helps Maha amass 372/4 against Jharkhand

A entertaining century by opener Chirag Khurana helped hosts Maharashtra amass 372 runs on the first day against Jharkhand.

Nashik: A entertaining century by opener Chirag Khurana and fifties by three others helped hosts Maharashtra amass 372 runs for the loss of four wickets on the first day of their Ranji Trophy Plate division match against Jharkhand at the Anant Kanhere ground on Thursday.

Khurana played an aggressive knock of 123 in 154 balls and hit 21 fours. He was ably supported by Sangram Atitkar (62, 117b, 4x4), with whom Khurana 152 runs for the second wicket in 35.2 overs, after his partnership with fellow opener Harshad Khadiwale (27) yielded 53 runs. Maharashtra lost Khurana and Atitkar in the span of five overs, and Ankit Bawne (17) too failed to contribute much. However, NS Paradkar 78 not out (97b, 4x12) and R Motwani 54 not out (100b, 4x8) added an undefeated 111 runs for the fifth wicket to ensure that Maharashtra, who were invited to bat first by Jharkhand, ended the day in control. For Jharkhand, left-arm spinner Shahbaaz Nadeem was the most successful bowler having taken the wickets of Khurana and Atitkar while conceding 92 runs. Shankar Rao and Keshav Kumar shared a wicket apiece. Brief scores: Maharashtra 1st innings 372 for 4 in 90 overs (Chirag Khurana 123, S Atitkar 62, NS Paradkar 78 not out, R Motwani 54 not out; S Nadeem 2-92) against Jharkhand. PTI