Ankeet leads Maharashtra’s run charge vs hosts Uttar Pradesh
Barring leftarm spinner Saurabh Kumar other UP bowlers fail to make any serious impact on visitors
LUCKNOW: Young Ankeet Bawne’s successful run with the bat continued this domestic season as he struck another unbeaten century to help Maharashtra seize control against Uttar Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy game here on Tuesday.
Having scored an unbeaten 85 and 150 against New Zealand A in the two unofficial Tests at Vishakhapatnam, Bawne showed his hunger for runs, hitting his 17th first-class century to guide Maharashtra to 274/4 in the first innings.
Opting to bat, Bawne was a picture of confidence at the Ekana International cricket stadium in the Group A encounter. During his 212-ball 107, which contained 12 fours and a six, the right-hand batsman never allowed the UP bowlers to dictate terms.
After a boundary off part-time offie Shivam Chaudhary in the 79th over, Bawne struck the match’s only six on the next ball to complete his century in style. His 71-run third wicket partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad and an unbeaten 124-run fifth-wicket stand with Rohit Motwani disturbed UP skipper Suresh Raina’s game plan.
There was nothing fruitful for Uttar Pradesh, who are desperate to score an outright win to stay in contention, especially after losing the season opener to Railways.
Raina’s decision to go with one specialist spinner backfired as barring left-arm orthodox spinner Saurabh Kumar (3/100), seamer Ankit Rajpoot was the only other wicket-taker. Though part-timers Raina and Shivam shared 12 overs between them, none could make an impression.
Saurabh had opener Swapnil Gugale (13) in the ninth over, before removing Rahul Tripathi (9) and fellow opener Ruturaj, but there was nothing worthy thereafter as seamers Rajpoot, Imtiaz Ahmed and debutant Vineet Panwar failed to make an
impact.
Before being caught by keeper Eklavya Dwivedi, Ruturaj struck 63, his maiden first class half-century in 123 balls with the help of six hits to the fence. Motwani too made a mockery of the UP bowlers, striking an unbeaten 62 in 120 balls with the help of four boundaries.
Minutes before the end of the first day’s play, Motwani completed his 18th first-class halfcentury, hitting a powerful boundary off Saurabh Kumar. There was more frustration for the UP bowlers as they could do nothing with the second new ball.