Maharashtra's two unbeaten centurions, stand-in-skipper Swapnil Gugale (152*) and middle order batsman Ankit Bawne (120*), dominated proceedings against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy Group 'B' game yesterday
Swapnil Gugale and Ankit Bawne
Swapnil Gugale and Ankit Bawne
Maharashtra's two unbeaten centurions, stand-in-skipper Swapnil Gugale (152*) and middle order batsman Ankit Bawne (120*), dominated proceedings against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy Group 'B' game yesterday at the Wankhede Stadium after the duo's uninterrupted 249-run partnership for the third wicket helped Maharashtra end the day at 290-2.
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After winning the toss, Maharashtra were in a spot of bother, losing both opener Harshad Khadiwale (10) and one-drop batsman Chirag Khurana (4) to pacer Navdeep Saini, but once Gugale and Bawne stepped in, the day belonged to them. Both batsmen struck their centuries at the Wankhede for the first time.
"I am playing on this well-known ground for the first time and I am happy to score a ton on the first attempt itself. Leading Maharashtra for the first time is a good experience.
"I was under pressure when we lost two early wickets. But I told myself that this is the time to shoulder responsibility and showcase your temperament. Ankit too played beautifully," Gugale, told mid-day. Gugale's knock was laced with 19 boundaries and a six during his 261-ball stay at the pitch. Bawne too showed the same determination with his innings, scoring nine boundaries and a six.
Bawne, though, was not as lucky as Gugale to score a ton on the first attempt. The 23-year-old, who scored 4059 runs in 61 first-class matches, said he was eager to score a century at the Wankhede.
"This ton is very special for me. I had missed out on scoring a century three times while playing against Mumbai on this very ground so I was eager to cross the three-figure mark today," Bawne added.
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