A brilliant century by skipper J N Shah (124) helped Saurashtra post a healthy 298 for 7 on the first day of the four-day Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh, in Kanpur, on Thursday.

UP failed to capitalise on early breakthroughs, their fielders dropping at least three catches, and helped Saurashtra post a fairly good total by the end of the day.

P S Mehta (38) and Jobanputra (6) were at the crease when stumps were drawn four overs before the stipulated 90 overs in the day.

In the morning, Uttar Pradesh captain Jyoti Yadav won the toss and put the opposition in on an apparently good wicket. His decision was vindicated almost immediately, when pacer Shalabh Srivastava sent both the openers back to the pavilion with score reading 7 for 2.

The third wicket also went early, when Piyush Chawla [Images] consumed youngster Cheteshwar Pujara at a total of 64.
This was the time when the UP bowlers failed to maintain the upper hand as Shah played some delectable shots to score a ton.

He scored 124 off 159 balls, inclusive of 22 fours, before getting out to India pacer R P Singh.

Shalabh, R P Singh and young prodigy Chawla chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Scorecard

Saurashtra (1st innings):
K Vaghela c Amir Khan b S Srivastava 3
S Jogiyani c Ravikant Shukla b S Srivastava 3
S Kotak c Amir Khan b Piyush Chawla 45
C Pujara c Tahir Abbas b Piyush Chawla 36
J Shah c Shukla b Singh 124
P Mehta not out 38
R Dhurv c Ravikant Shukla b Shukla 21
K Makvana lbw b Singh 0
S Jobanputra not out 6.
Extras: (b 4, lb 6, nb 12) 22
Total: (7 wickets; 86 overs) 298     

To bat: N Doshi, S Maniar

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-7, 3-64, 4-194, 5-250, 6-288, 7-290.

Bowling: R P Singh 19-1-72-2, S Srivastava 15-2-65-2, P Kumar 18-1-50-0, P Chawla 24-6-78-2, S Shukla 10-2-23-1.