Ankit Bawne hits unbeaten century on Ranji Trophy return

Ankit Bawne reached his 25th first-class hundred on Sunday, an unbeaten 105 off 232 balls at Palam. Maharashtra closed day one at 287 for 5.

Prithvi Shaw made 70 off 73 before Arjun Sharma bowled him. Sharma finished with 3 for 74. Bawne then put on 78 for the fifth wicket with Siddhesh Veer and an unbroken 58 with Vicky Ostwal.

He'd averaged 10 last season. After reaching three figures he raised his bat towards the dugout, a quiet reminder that the 34-year-old still wants a chance at the next level despite nearly 15,000 first-class runs without an India cap.