Ranji Trophy: Maharashtra 231/5 against Odisha on Day 1

Cuttack: Harshad Khadiwale and Ankit Bawne struck dogged half-centuries as Maharashtra reached 231 for five in their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match against Odisha here today.

Medium pacer Biplab Samantray was the most successful bowler for Odisha, returning impressive figures of three for 31 in 10 overs at the Barabati Stadium, the venue for the second T20 match between India and South Africa in the ongoing series that was marred by crowd disruptions.

At stumps on day 1, Rahul Tripathi was batting on 41 while Chirag Khurana was giving him company on 18.

Sent into bat, Maharashtra lost Swapnil Gugale (2) with only three runs on the board in the fourth over to Suryakant Pradhan, who ended the ended with 2 for 65 in 21 overs.

Skipper Rohit Motwani was out for 22 off 45 balls, having hit five boundaries. The experienced Kedar Jadhav (2), who has an ODI hundred to his name, was the next to go as the visitors slumped to 62 for three.

A 91-run for the fourth wicket between Khadiwale and Bawne revived Maharashtra, but both of them fell after doing all the hard work.

While Khadiwale hit 10 fours in his 164-ball knock, Bawne found the fence seven times while facing 146 deliveries.