Ranji Trophy: Maharashtra inch closer to 1st innings lead over Rajasthan

Jaipur: Chirag Khurana struck an unbeaten half century as Maharashtra made a strong reply to Rajasthan's first innings total of 318 by reaching 244 for 5 on the second day of Ranji Trophy cricket match here.

Maharashtra top order flopped as they were reduced to 131 for 5 and they looked like folding up itself.

But, Rahul Tripathi (47 batting) and Khurana (64 batting) had other ideas as they stitched 113 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket to take the visiting side to safety. Maharashtra are now even poised for first-innings points as they are now just 74 runs adrift with five wickets in hand.

Khurana has so far hit six fours in his 99-ball knock while Tripathi was batting solid in his 107-ball stay at the crease as he hit two fours and a six.

For Rajasthan, K Ajay Singh grabbed two wickets while giving away 40 runs while Deepak Chahar, Aniket Choudhary and Nathu Singh took a wicket apiece.

Brief Scores:

Rajasthan 1st Innings: 318 all out in 102.1 overs (Ashok Menaria 84, Rajat Bhatia 59; Samad Fallah 3/77, Shrikant Mundhe 3/94).

Maharashtra 1st Innings: 244 for 5 in 71 overs (Chirag Khurana 67 batting; K Ajay Singh 2/40).