Even a short burst of big hitting by K. B. Arun Karthick and Swarupam Purkayastha could not delay the inevitable as Maharashtra thrashed Assam by an innings and 52 runs to pocket seven crucial points in a Group B Ranji Trophy game here on Thursday.
With another 171 runs needed to make Maharashtra bat again, Purkayastha and Karthick went after the bowlers slamming 78 runs in the first hour of play as they both reached their half-centuries in quick time.
Purkayastha in particular was severe on the Maharashtra spinners, lifting them over the infield regularly as he slammed 13 boundaries on his way to making 69 off just 57 balls. But his aggressive intent was his undoing as he miscued a sweep and offered a simple catch to the mid-wicket fielder.
Left-arm pacer Mohsin Sayyed then picked two quick wickets with skipper Arun Karthick nearing a century but lacking support at the other end.
Fittingly, Man of the Match, Anupam Sanklecha, who was the architect of this victory, knocked over Mrinmoy Dutta to seal the match as Arun Karthick was stranded on 87. Sanklecha finished with match figures of 12 for 144.
Maharashtra won by an inning and 52 runs; Points: Maharashtra 7 (21); Assam 0 (8).
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