Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Group A, Round 5, Day 3: Maharashtra take lead against Mumbai

Hosts Maharashtra bundled out Mumbai for 273 to take the crucial first innings lead in their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy game in Pune on Saturday.

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Mumbai, who resumed on the penultimate day at 196/6, had their hopes on stand-in skipper Siddhesh Lad, who was unbeaten on 70.

But the right-handed batsman could add only 23 runs to his overnight tally before being caught by Rohit Motani off Samad Fallah. Young Shubham Ranjane remained unbeaten on 54, but lacked support from the other end as wickets kept tumbling and Mumbai fell well short of the hosts’ tally of 352.

For the hosts, Ashay Palkar (4/62) and left-arm medium pacer Samad Fallah (3/55) were the main wicket takers.

Mumbai fought back to reduce Maharashtra to 112/5 at close of play at the MCA Stadium in Gahunje. Skipper Rahul Tripathi (13*) and Saytajeet Bachhav (3*) were the not out batsmen at stumps for Maharashtra, whose overall lead was 191.

Brief scores: Maharashtra 352 and 112/5 (Chirag Khurana 38, Swapnil Gugale 37, Shivam Dube 2/7) versus Mumbai 273 (Siddhesh Lad 93, Aditya Tare 63; A Palkar 4/62)