On the day when Kedar Jadhav struck an unbeaten century for Maharashtra, the focus shifted to Ankit Bawne who retired hurt after being hit on the helmet leading to tense moments.
At the stroke of lunch in the Group B Ranji Trophy match, Bawne tried to duck under a short-pitched delivery from debutant Maninder Singh and the ball, which didn't rise as much as expected, thudded into the left side of his helmet.
The team management clarified that Bawne was only resting as a precautionary measure and that he would return to bat at some point during the Maharashtra innings. Resuming on 370 for eight, Punjab were all out for 391 in their first innings.
In their second essay, Maharashtra were in trouble at 23 for two, before opener Harshad Khadiwale (61) and Jadhav (109 batting) staged a recovery on the third day of the game at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Jadhav was then associated in an unbroken 148-run stand for the fourth wicket with Rahul Tripathi (59 batting), as the hosts reached 259 for three in 73 overs at close of play.