Maharashtra bight back with 296 for four in reply to Gujarat's 369

Nashik, Jan 4 (UNI) Maharashtra bastmen made merry at the expense of Gujarat bowlers with half centuries from H Khadiwale, Y Takawale and S Sriram taking them to 296 for four in reply to Gujarat's first innings score of 369 on the third day of their four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Division Group 'B' match at the Golf Club ground here today.

At close of play, S Sriram with 53 and M Nigde with 44 were at the crease with Maharashtra still needing a further 74 runs to take the vital first innings lead and with it two points to avoid relegation.

Maharashtra, who resumed the day at 72 for one, started off confidentlty as Khadiwale and Kanitkar added 85 runs for the second wicket before Kanitkar was cleaned up by A Makda for 45 runs.

Khadiwale then added a further 93 runs with Takawale who made a solid 57 before being caught behind by Parthiv Patel off Makda with the score on 197. Khadiwale's long stay also came to an end a run later being caught by Damani in the slips off Makda for 73.

However, S Sriram and M Nigde then put on an unbeaten patnership of 98 runs to take Maharashtra to a position from where they can take the two points and with it save relegation.

Following is the scoreboard: Gujarat first innings: 369 Maharashtra first innings: (overnight 72 for one) H Khadiwale c K Damani b A Makda 73 D Jadhav c P Patel b K Damani 8 H Kanitkar b A Makda 45 Y Takawale c P Patel b A Makda 57 S Sriram batting 53 M Nigde batting 44 Extras: (b 2, lb 6, nb 3, pen 5) 16 Total (4 wickets; 123 overs) 296 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-105, 3-197, 4-198 Bowling A Makda 32-7-79-3 H Majmudar 4.4-0-17-0 A Bilakhia 11.2-1-21-0 K Damani 32-14-57-0 S Patel 32-10-63-0 T Patel 11-1-46-0 UNI