Centuries by skipper Dinesh Mongia and opening batsman Ravneet Ricky helped Punjab reach a commanding 305 for the loss of two wickets against Kerala in their first innings on the opening day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group A league match at the Fort Maidan in Palakkad on Friday.

Opener Ravneet Ricky's 125 came in 265 balls, which included 16 hits to the fence and a six in his 349-minute stay at the wicket.

His first-wicket partnership with Samrat Sharma (38) yielded 119 runs off 42.4 overs.

Skipper Dinesh Mongia's unbeaten 115, studded with 14 fours, came in 186 minutes off 165 balls.

Kerala vice-captain Sreekumar Nair was the only successful bowler, claiming the two wickets to fall. He conceded 60 runs and his 29 overs spell contained 11 maidens.

Scoreboard

Punjab (1st Innings):
R Ricky c Bell b Sreekumar 125
S Sharma c Deepak b Sreekuar 38
D Mongia batting 115
P Dharmani batting 1

Extras: (b-2, lb-1, w-1, nb-22)  26

Total: (for 2 wkts, 90 overs) 305

Fall wickets: 1-119, 2-300

Bowling: Yohannan 16-0-64-0, Bell 5-0-23-0, Oasis 9-0-29-0, Suresh Kumar 13-1-49-0, Ananthapadmanabhan 18-3-77-0, Sreekumar Nair 29-11-60-2.