Rohtak: Maharashtra placed themselves in a dominant position after bundling Assam for a paltry 248 in their first essay on the third day of their Elite Group G Ranji Trophy match here on Saturday.
The Ankit Bawne-led side sat in the driver’s seat and forced the follow-up, then Assam finished the day at 82 for 3 in their second essay.
Chasing 415, Assam started with their nighttime score of 81 to 2, but for the Eastern team, only the talented Riyan Parag (88; 11×4;1×6) was the star player while the other batters went to the dressing room.
Experienced left-arm spinner Satyajeet Bachhav (4/25), who hails from Nashik, rebelled when he grabbed four wickets, including Parag’s, which he trapped for the wicket.
Parag only found a capable ally in wicketkeeper Kunal Saikia (46 not out; 4×4) as the two added 70 runs for the sixth wicket.
But once Parag was fired, the Maharashtra bowlers led by Bachhav quickly removed the tail.
Not a single batter from Assam showed any resistance as it was a dominant show from the team from the west, who had amassed a massive 415 score in their first essay, riding the double hundred of debutant Pavan Shah.
Assam also lost three wickets in the second essay, with openers Rishav Das (34), Subham Mandal (8) and Gokul Sharma (0) returning to the locker room as Maharashtra has a chance to take full points on the final day in the Chaudhary Bansilal Stadium.
Riyan Parag (35 not out) and Sarupam Purkayastha (2 not out), who are holding the fort, will have to fight all day if their side is to avoid defeat.
Short scores: Maharashtra 415 all out vs Assam 248 all out (Riyan Parag 88, Subham Mandal 49; Satyajeet Bachhav 4/25, Manoj Ingle 2/34) and 82/3. Assam course with 85 runs.
At Sultanpur: Uttar Pradesh 301 all out and 32/2 vs Vidarbha 548/6 (Faiz Fazal 192, Akshay Wadkar 102 not out; Saurabh Kumar 3/160, Ankit Rajpoot 2/86). Uttar Pradesh trail with 215 runs.
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