PANAJI
Opener Atharva Dharmadhikari played a brilliant marathon knock of 130 to help Maharashtra post a solid 271 for 6 at stumps on Day 1 of the MCA Senior Men's Interstate Multi-Day Practice Match against Goa at the MCA International Cricket Ground in Gahunje.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Maharashtra suffered an early blow when captain Sachin Dhas was dismissed for a duck in the second over by V. Koushik. However, Dharmadhikari anchored the innings superbly, stringing together a crucial second-wicket partnership with Siddhesh Veer, who ground out a solid 69 off 178 balls.
Dharmadhikari's fluent 185-ball inning featured 20 boundaries and a towering six before falling to Ruthvik Naik. Goa's bowlers fought back in the evening session, taking quick wickets, including Harshal Kate (28) and Rajvardhan Hangargekar (12). Naik was the pick of the bowlers for Goa, finishing with figures of 2/44. At stumps, Vicky Ostwal (17*) and Tanay Sanghavi (5*) remained at the crease, with Goa yet to bat.
Brief Scorecard
Maharashtra (1st Innings): 271/6 in 76.0 overs (Atharva Dharmadhikari 130 Siddhesh Veer 69, Harshal Kate 28, Ruthvik Naik 2-44, V. Koushik 1-15, Amulya Pandrekar 1-16, Heramb Parab 1-51, Arjun Tendulkar 1-75)
