Maharashtra need 135 more to win with nine wickets in hand on the last day of their four-day Col CK Nayudu Trophy match against Andhra at the DVR Ground in Mulapadu. At close of play on the penultimate day on Sunday, Maharashtra were six for one in 5 overs.
Earlier, Andhra staged a remarkable comeback to save the ignominy of an innings loss. Following on after being bowled out for a lowly 187, Andhra batters put up a much-improved show with skipper M Hemanth Kumar leading from the front.
Resuming at their overnight score of 57 for two, Hemanth and S Venkata Rahul kept the Maharashtra bowlers at bay. The duo went on to add 88 for the third wicket off 75 balls as kept the scoreboard ticking. Hemanth had decided to take the bull by its horn and went after the bowlers. He contributed 56 off 46 balls to the partnership while Rahul made a 29-ball 32. However, Hemanth fell to AR Nishad and Andhra were 108 for three.
But Rahul and Abhinav continued the good work with another fruitful partnership for the fourth wicket which yielded 72 runs off 125 balls. Abhinav made 25 before falling to Ajay Borude. Rahul was trapped leg before by Nishad after he made 94 off 145 balls with 11 fours and a six.
GSP Teja and KSS Jayanth took charge of the proceedings as they added 84 for the sixth wicket with Jayanth scoring 58 off 48 balls and Teja contributing 22 off 40 balls.
Jayanth was sent back by Nishad and Hemanth Kumar (8) too departed cheaply. However, Teja and G Sumith added 45 for the eighth wicket to help Andhra cross the 350 mark. Teja fell to Vicky Ostwal for 60 which came off 130 balls with four boundaries.
Andhra were bowled out for 369 with G Sumith unconquered on 28.
Vicky Ostwal, who took seven wickets in the first innings, claimed five for 150 and Nishad took four for 98.
Brief scores: Maharashtra 416 & 6/1 in 5 overs vs Andhra 187 & 369 in 97.4 overs (M Hemanth Reddy 69, S Venkata Rahul 94, M Abhinav 25, GSP Teja 60, KSS Jayanth 58, G Sumith 28 not out; Vicky Ostwal 5/150, A R Nishad 4/98).
