A 55-run partnership for the seventh wicket between S Sharath and R Naresh, and S Badrinath's brilliant knock of 45, helped Tamil Nadu pile up 254 for loss of seven wickets on the opening day of the Elite Group 'A' Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra at the Anant Kanhere stadium in Nashik on Saturday.

- Ranji Trophy 2005-06: Complete coverage

After Maharashtra captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar put Tamil Nadu in to bat, the visitors were 109 for three in 32 overs.

S Badrinath batted steadily and scored 45 runs, displaying some fine shots.

Captain Hemang Badani was caught by Dhiraj Jadhav on an individual score of 19.

Dinesh Kartik was out for zero, when he was caught by Dhiraj Jadhav on the bowling of Anupam Sanklecha, who captured three wickets in 57 runs.

After wicket of R Naresh, who was bowled by Suyash Burkul at 16, R Ramkumar joined S Sharath, who remained unbeaten at 58, with nine fours.

Sharath completed his fifty runs when the 80th over was in progress. Ramkumar was unbeaten on 20 at stumps.

Scorecard:

Tamil Nadu (1st innings):
S Vidyut c RP Jadhav b Sanclecha 30
C Hemanth Kumar c RP Jadhav b Burkul 24
S Sriram c Bahutule b Patel 25
S Badrinath c DS Jadhav b Sanclecha 45
HK Badani c DS Jadhav b Burkul 19
S Sharath not out 58
KKD Karthik c DS Jadhav b Sanclecha 0
R Naresh b Burkul 16
R Ramkumar not out 20
Extras: (lb 8, w 3, nb 6) 17
Total: (7 wickets, 90 overs) 254

To bat: R Jesuraj, DT Kumaran.

Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-66, 3-103, 4-142, 5-169, 6-175, 7-230.

Bowling: Patel 27-8-72-1 (5nb, 1w), Burkul 16-4-40-3 (1w), Sanclecha 23-10-61-3, Khirid 1.3-0-9-0 (1w), RP Jadhav 7.3-1-19-0, Bahutule 15-1-45-0 (1nb).

Maharashtra team: HH Kanitkar (c), DS Jadhav, SV Bahutule, MM Patel, SR Burkul, SA Satbhai (wk), RP Jadhav, RD Khirid, AA Sanclecha, AA Patil, AS Raut.