Veteran Abhijit Kale hammered an unbeaten 158 as Maharashtra raced to a firstinnings lead over Baroda on the second day of their West Zone Ranji Trophyleague match at the IPCL ground in Baroda on Saturday
Partab Ramchand09-Dec-2000Veteran Abhijit Kale hammered an unbeaten 158 as Maharashtra raced to a firstinnings lead over Baroda on the second day of their West Zone Ranji Trophyleague match at the IPCL ground in Baroda on Saturday. Replying to Baroda’sfirst innings total of 273, Maharashtra were 320 for seven wickets at close.Resuming at two for no loss, Maharashtra lost opener D Jadhav quickly and thenveteran opener Surender Bhave (19) left at 54. Kale, who entered at this stage,and skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar (55) added 55 runs for the third wicket off 12.2overs. Kanitkar faced just 62 balls, hitting ten of them to the ropes. Then inthe company of KD Aphale (23), Kale was concerned in a stand of 52 runs off 19.5overs. Two more wickets fell fairly quickly and Maharashtra were 183 for six.Then Kale and M Sane (45) pushed Maharashtra in front with a seventh wicketpartnership of 106 runs off 30.2 overs. By stumps, the 27-year-old Kale, hadbatted a shade over five hours, faced 199 balls and hit 22 fours in hisaggressive knock. After reaching his 100 off 152 balls, Kale raced to 150 offonly another 43 balls. VN Buch finished the day with four for 76.