da bet sport： Abhijit Vasant Kale’s monumental unbeaten 248 helped Maharashtra earnan honourable draw against Baroda in their West Zone Ranji Trophymatch at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune on Thursday
07-Jan-2000Abhijit Vasant Kale’s monumental unbeaten 248 helped Maharashtra earnan honourable draw against Baroda in their West Zone Ranji Trophymatch at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune on Thursday.The final day indeed belonged to the 26-year-old Kale. He was unbeatenon 77 at stumps on the third day with Maharashtra, forced to follow on180 runs behind, on 176 for three. But Kale received splendid supportfrom tailender SV Aradhye and with Santanu Sugwekar, KD Aphale and SAShah also playing valuable roles, Maharashtra batted almost the wholeday before being all out for 449 in 135.5 overs.In the morning, overnight not out batsmen Kale and Aphale took thetotal to 186 before the latter was out for 37. The fourth wicket standhad put on 89 runs off 35.4 overs. Then Shah (32) helped Kale add 49runs for the fifth wicket off 11.4 overs. But the quick dismissals ofSD Lande and Iqbal Siddiqui left Maharashtra facing defeat at 246 forseven. However Kale found able support in No 9 Aradhye. The two wenton to add 198 runs for the eighth wicket 49.2 overs. Kale who alreadyreached his century now proceeded calmly past his double hundred. Bythe time Aradhye was out for 58, compiled off 157 balls and inclusiveof five hits to the ropes, the match was well and truly saved eventhough Maharashtra batted one short, being without their skipper andwicketkeeper SM Kondhalkar who could not bat after sustaining aninjury in the first innings. Kale who had come in on Wednesday at theend of the first over with the score four for one, remainedunconquered after batting 548 minutes. He faced 367 minutes and hit 32fours and a six. In the remaining time Baroda were 34 for no loss intheir second innings. Baroda got five points and Maharashtra three.