Mumbai: Swapnil Gugale (351 n o, 521b, 37×4, 5×6) and Ankit Bawane (258 n o, 500b, 18×4, 2×6) broke Friday a 70-year-old partnership record for all wickets in the Ranji Trophy championship when they stitched a massive, unfinished stand of 594 for Maharashtra against Delhi in a Group B match at the Wankhede Stadium here.
The duo, who had come together within 45 minutes of play starting on Thursday, remained at the crease after breaking the previous all-time best fourth wicket partnership record of 577 set by Vijay Hazare and Gul Mohammed for hosts Baroda against Holkar way back in 1946-47.
Delhi used as many as nine bowlers to break the stand between the 25-year-old Pune-born Gugale and 23-year-old Aurangabad-born Bawane but all came to nought. Gugale, dropped on 38 and 105, had another slice of luck Friday when on 262, as he was let off by Parwinder Awana off left- arm spinner Varun Sood. The duo had resumed the innings at the overnight 290 for two with Gugale on 152 and Bawane on 120. Maharashtra declared their innings at 635 for two and Delhi were 21 without loss at stumps.
Brief scores: Maharashtra 635 for 2 decl (Swapnil Gugale 351 n o, Ankit Bawane 258 n o); Delhi 21 for no loss. Match to continue.
Press Trust of India