Robin Uthappa hit a near run-a-ball century and Rahul Dravid a fluent half-century as Karnataka moved to a position of strength at the end of first day's play in the Ranji Trophy Elite Division match against Saurashtra in Rajkot on Wednesday.

Uthappa hammered 108 from 109 balls in less than three hours as Karnataka ended the day at 329 for 4 at the Madhavrao Scindia cricket ground in Rajkot.

- Ranji Trophy 2006-07

The 21-year-old Uthappa, who had a brief rendezvous with international cricket as a member of the Indian one-day team early last year, plundered 18 fours and a six after captain Yere Goud elected to bat.

The Coorg-born batsman added 167 runs for the second wicket with C Raghu after the loss of opening partner Rowland Barrington for one.

Raghu played the supporting cast to perfection with a patient 83 and added another 54 runs with Dravid, who made 56.

The Indian skipper struck six fours in his 71-ball knock.

The good work done by the top order was consolidated by Goud (38 not out) and wicketkeeper-batsman Thilak Naidu (30 not out) whose unbroken fifth-wicket stand has produced 59 runs so far.

The hosts were handicapped by the injury to their key bowler Rakesh Dhruve, who did not bowl after suffering a fracture while taking a catch at second slip.

Kamlesh Makwana was expensive but got two wickets conceding 129 runs, while Sandeep Jobanputra and Sandip Maniar took one apiece.