Aurangabad – Meghalaya closed day three at 157/8 in their second innings, holding a slim 72-run lead over Maharashtra and pushing the hosts to bat again in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash.
Entering the final day, Meghalaya’s lower-order resilience has kept the match in the balance, as they fought back from a precarious 50/5 to extend the contest.
Maharashtra’s pacer MG Choudhary dominated early, claiming three crucial wickets and setting Meghalaya’s innings off to a rocky start.
Anirudh B, Meghalaya’s first-innings centurion, attempted to stabilize the innings with a determined 36 but was dismissed before he could fully turn the tide. His departure left Meghalaya in a precarious position, still trailing.
Akash Kumar Choudhary then emerged as a pivotal figure for Meghalaya. Already their top performer with the ball, taking 4/76 in Maharashtra’s first innings, Akash contributed a vital 26 with the bat.
His partnership of 73 runs with Anirudh for the sixth wicket shifted momentum, cutting down Maharashtra’s lead and setting up a potential target. Akash’s dismissal just before stumps was a setback, but his efforts kept Meghalaya’s hopes alive.
Sumit Kumar (24) and Aryan Borah (0) remained at the crease when play concluded, aiming to further extend the lead on the fourth day.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra resumed their first innings at 263/5, eventually being bowled out for 361. Harshal Kate, adding only 11 runs to his overnight score of 117, was removed by Akash, while MS Bhandari held firm with a resilient 73 before Dippu Sangma (1/74) dismissed him. Ajay Duhan (2/34) and Chengkam Sangma (1/86) took crucial late wickets to end Maharashtra’s innings, securing a slim margin to keep Meghalaya in the game.
With Meghalaya’s lower-order showing signs of grit, the final day promises a gripping conclusion, as Maharashtra will need to chase whatever target Meghalaya can set in a game that has seen both sides trade the upper hand.
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