Khadiwale's century leads Maharashtra's fightback

Harshad Khadiwale hit a fine century as following on Maharashtra produced a much-better batting effort to finish day three on 315 for two against Karnataka in Group B match in Pune, on Monday.

Khadiwale scored 136 off 193 balls with the help of 19 boundaries and a lone six, while Sangram Dilip Atitkar (78) and Ankit Bawne (80 not out) also made half-centuries to keep Maharashtra in the game.

H S Sharath and Syed Khaja Moinuddin picked up a wicket each for Karnataka.

Earlier resuming at the overnight score of 58 for one, Maharashtra were bundled out for a meagre 99 in their first innings in reply to Karnataka's 572 for nine declared.

Medium-pacer Abhimanyu Mithun scalped six wickets for 36 runs, while Stuart Binny picked up four for 37.

In the second innings, Maharashtra batsmen gave a better account of themselves with the bat as Khadiwale and Atitkar put on 156 run for the opening wicket.

After Atitkar's dismissal, Khadiwale joined hands with Bawne and the duo stitched 146 runs for the second wicket to take Maharashtra forward.

At stumps on day three, Maharashtra still trail Karnataka by 158 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Brief scores:

Karnataka 1st innings: 572 for nine declared in 158.5 overs

Maharashtra: 99 and 315 for two in 74 overs (Harshad Khadiwale 136, Ankit Bawne 80, Sangram Dilip Atitkar 78; H S Sharath 1/54).