The final day of the Ranji Trophy between Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu would only have been exciting if the former gave the visitors a target with a quick run.
Early in the fourth day of the morning session, however, it became clear that there was no explanation in the plans of the home side, who by the third day had taken a decisive 42-run lead in the first innings.
Maharashtra continued on 3-for-104 and used the final day as an extended net session at the centre, finishing the second inning 5-for-364.
Skippers Ankeet Bawane (152 n.o., 259b, 13×4, 3×6) and Azim Kazi (103 n.o., 140b, 10×4, 3×6) have remained undefeated for centuries without taking any risks and winning matches. Helped us get 3 points when the was finished. A tame draw.
Friday’s result meant Tamil Nadu was knocked out of his trophy for the fifth year in a row as he failed to qualify for the stage. With no help from pacemakers or spinners on the pitch at the MCA International Stadium, it was not surprising that Maharashtra could not find their way to victory when it came to defending goal.
Bawane started the day on a positive note, hitting the Pacer Sandeep Warrior from offside where he hit three boundaries and quickly entered his half-century.
TN then had a small opening in the game as left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore removed his Saurabh Nawale and then his Kedar Jadhav in quick succession. Maharashtra were then 167 for 5 and only 209 runs ahead with plenty of time left in the day. However, Kaji, joining Bawane, picked up where he left off in the first innings and the duo quickly dashed TN’s small hopes with an unbroken run of 197 runs for six wickets.
After lunch, Bawane swept mid-wicket off Sai Kishore and hit 100 in style. Kaji, who was a little more aggressive with his spinners, achieved his milestone in the final session of the day after missing 12 runs in the first innings.