Prithvi​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Shaw was the highlight of the day with a fabulous double century - the third fastest by an Indian in first-class cricket - as Maharashtra set a target of 464 runs to Chandigarh on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match on Monday.

Shaw, who came back to the crease at 41 the night before, did not let the Chandigarh bowlers settle in and he completed his double century in just 141 balls. His 222-run onslaught was done in 156 balls and it had 29 fours and five sixes, taking the score of Maharashtra to a quick 359 for three declared in only 52 overs.

The 25-year-old’s feat is now the third fastest double ton by an Indian in first-class cricket, after Tanmay Agarwal’s 119-ball record against Arunachal Pradesh in 2024 and Ravi Shastri’s 123-ball innings vs Baroda in 1985.

Moreover, it is the very first time that Prithvi Shaw has scored a century for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy and his overall 14th first-class century. The aggressive opener had earlier scored 75 in his debut game for the state against Kerala after a first-innings duck.

At the close of play, Chandigarh were 129 for one with Arjun Azad (63*) and Manan Vohra (53*) trying to keep their side alive in the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌match.

In​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a match that spiraled out of hand after Karnataka put up a mammoth 371 in the first innings and their bowlers ran through the Goa lineup with ruthless efficiency, Arjun Tendulkar, the son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, was the only bright spot with his gritty knock of 43 not out. After the home team scored 171 for six, Goa still trailed by 200 runs. Arjun struck 5 fours and 1 six in his 43 off 115 balls, while Mohit Redkar hit 24 not out and together they added 56 runs for the seventh wicket to give Goa a modest total in which will be a test to see if this innings will buy a draw or even win the match.

Beforehand, Abhilash Shetty and Vidwath Kaverappa were at their devastating best, tormenting the Goan batsmen with their 5 wickets and to have the visitors 115 for 6 and then, the tail has put up a fight but the damage was mostly done.

What is more, only Lalit Yadav of Goa's top order gave a fight with his 36 off 96 balls while others were struggling to get runs.

On the day before, Karun Nair made a statement with his breathtaking 174 off 267 balls — his 25th first-class hundred — that had elevated Karnataka to a commanding position and at the same time clearly indicating his return to form after being dropped from the India Test squad following a not-so-good series in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌England.

(With PTI Inputs)