Sriram's ton gives Maharashtra crucial lead against Gujarat

Nashik, Jan 5 (UNI) A superb century by S Sriram gave Maharashtra the all important first innings lead against Gujarat in their Ranji Trophy Elite Division Group ''B'' match which ended in a tame draw at the Golf Club ground here today.

Gujarat at close of the final day's play in the second innings were 73 for one with Nilesh Modi on 32 and Neeraj Patel on 6.

Maharashtra resuming at their overnight score of 296 for four saw S Sriram lead the way as he was involved in two useful partnerships for the fifth and sixth wicket with M Nigde and S Bahutule respectively.

Sriram shared a huge 134-run fifth wicket partnership with M Nigde before the latter was dismissed by K Damani caught in the deep by S Patel for a solid 53 which came in 133 balls with six fours and a six. Maharashtra was then 332 for five still needing 38 runs to gain the first innings lead.

S Bahutule who joined Sriram then took the past Gujarat's first innings target of 369 putting on 47 runs for the sixth wicket.

Bahutule then was caught by Neeraj Patel at slip of Timil Patel for 19 and then Sriram got out in the only way he could be run out for 122 which was studded with 12 fours and two sixes.

Maharashtra then finally declared at 450 for nine taking a crucial 81 run lead.

In the remaining time Gujarat made 73 for one when play was called off. Maharashtra received two points to take their tally to 7, while Gujarat remained on four points and were looking at relegation to the plate division.

Following is the scoreboard: Gujarat first innings: 369 Maharashtra first innings: (overnight 296 for four) H Khadiwale C 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 run out (sub H Joshipura) 122 M Nigde C S Patel B K Damani 53 S Bahutule C N Patel B T Patel 19 S Satbhai C P Patel B A Makda 38 A Sanclecha not out 10 R Jadhav B A Makda 3 S Burkul not out 2 Extras: (B 3, LB 8, NB 4, Pen 5) 20 Total: (9 wickets dec; 160 overs; 644 mins) 450 Fall of wickets 1-20, 2-107, 3-197, 4-198, 5-332, 6-379, 7-434, 8-440, 9-446 Bowling A Makda 43-7-125-5 H Majmudar 4.4-0-17-0 A Bilakhia 12.2-1-32-0 K Damani 45-15-96-2 S Patel 36-10-81-0 T Patel 19-1-83-1 Gujarat 2nd innings N Modi not out 32 A Bilakhia C&B R Jadhav 30 N Patel not out 6 Extras: (LB 3, W 1, NB 1) 5 Total: (1 wicket; 36 overs) 73 Fall of wickets: 1-59 Bowling S Bahutule 9-4-17-0 A Sanclecha 3-1-9-0 R Jadhav 13-6-25-1 S Sriram 4-0-9-0 H Khadiwale 3-1-5-0 S Burkul 4-3-5-0 UNI