NT Reporter
Panaji
Saurabh Nawale’s unbeaten 95 put Maharashtra in control on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Goa at Gahunje, Pune, on Friday, as the hosts finished on 306 for 8 — a 97-run first-innings lead.
Chasing Goa’s 209, Maharashtra resumed at 19 without loss but Goa struck early. Koushik removed Arshin Kulkarni (7), and Arjun Tendulkar sent back Prithvi Shaw (31) to leave Maharashtra at 43 for 2. Niraj Joshi (23) fell before the 100-mark, keeping Goa in the contest.
Ruturaj Gaikwad steadied the innings with a fluent 66, but the decisive push came from Nawale, who held firm even after Maharashtra slipped to 216 for 7. He then added 58 with Jalaj Saxena (22) to extend the lead.
Lalit Yadav led Goa’s bowling with 3 for 95, while Tendulkar claimed 2 for 42. With two wickets in hand, Maharashtra will aim to build further on Day 3, as Goa chase early breakthroughs.
