Swapnil Gugale scored a half-century as Maharashtra reached 256 for three in their first innings at the end of third day's play against Haryana in a Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.
Maharashtra need 79 more runs with seven wickets in hand to topple Haryana's first innings score of 355 all out.
Resuming on seven for no loss, openers Gugale (91) and Harshad Khadiwale (44) laid a solid platform for the team, putting on 115 runs together.
While Gugale's 91 came off 163 balls with the help of 12 fours and two sixes, Khadiwale's took 91 deliveries for his 44 that included five hits to the fence.
At the close of play, Kedar Jadhav was unbeaten on 39 and giving him company at the other end was Ankit Bawne on 33.
The duo had shared an unbroken 76 runs together for the fourth wicket at stumps on the penultimate day.
For Haryana, Ashish Hooda claimed two for 50, while Jayant Yadav (1/80) chipped in with a wicket.
Brief scores:
Haryana 1st innings: 335 all out
Maharashtra 1st innings: 256 for three in 69 overs (Swapnil Gugale 91, Harshad Khadiwale 44; Ashish Hooda 2/50).
