NEW DELHI: History has been made at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where the Maharashtra pair of Swapnil Gugale and Ankit Bawne have recorded the highest partnership in the history of India's premier domestic competition, the Ranji Trophy Opener Gugale - in his first match as captain of Maharashtra - and No 4 Bawne added an unbeaten 594 against Delhi in their second round fixture of the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy. Before today, the 580 that Rafatullah Mohmand and Aamer Sajjad added for WAPDA against Sui Southern Gas Corporation in Pakistan's domestic cricket was the second highest.Gugale declared the innings at 635/2 at which point he was 351* and Bawne 258*. Gugale's previous best in 17 first-class matches was 174, while for Bawne it was 172 in 61 appearances. Delhi captain Unmukt Chand has so far used nine bowlers to try and break this extraordinary stand, himself included.The new format for the current Ranji season includes matches played an neutral venues around the country. Hence, Maharashtra and Delhi are playing in Mumbai instead of in Pune or one of the capital's grounds such as the Feroz Shah Kotla or Roshanara where they would traditionally have played as hosts.

Source: Times of India October 14, 2016 10:52 UTC