Kotak, Shah lift Saurashtra

Brilliant half-centuries by S H Kotak and J N Shah helped Saurashtra score 220 for 5 at the close on the opening day of their four-day Ranji Trophy Super League Group A match against Rajasthan at the KL Saini stadium in Jaipur on Friday.

Shah and Ravindra Jadeja were unbeaten on 62 and 13 respectively at the draw of stumps.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Saurashtra made a shaky start, losing both openers -- Jogiyani (21) and Vaghela (5) -- for only 49.

The former was caught by Bishnoi off debutant Nissan Singh while the latter was caught by Doru off Pankaj Singh.

Kotak and Pujara then added 60 for the third wicket before Pujara was dismissed by Afroz Khan, caught by Aslam for 32 (106m,7x4).

Newcomer P S Mehta could not last long, also a victim of Afroz, lbw for only 4 runs.

Kotak was batting well at the other end but skipper Mohammed Aslam succeeded in dismissing, caught behind for 58 (293m,9x4).

Shah, after completing his half-century off 76 balls, inclusive of 10 fours, was going great guns after finding a good partner in Ravindra Jadeja.

The two put on 62 for an unbroken sixth-wicket stand.

Medium pacer Afroz was the most successful bowler for the home team, taking 2 for 19, while Pankaj Singh, Nissan Singh and Mohammed Aslam took one wicket each.

Scorecard

Saurashtra (1st innings):
S  Jogiyani c Bishnoi b Nissan 21
K Vaghela c Doru b Pankaj 5
S Kotak c Jhalani b Aslam 58
C Pujara c Aslam b Afroz 32
P Mehta lbw b Afroz 4
J Shah batting 62
R Jadeja batting 13.
Extras: (b 7, lb 6 w2,nb10) 25.
Total: (for 5 wickets, 90overs) 220

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-49, 3-109, 4-120, 5-158.

Bowling: P Singh 21-3-67-1, Nissan 21-6-35-1, Afroz Khan 14-4-19-2, R Bishnoi 2-0-8-0, A Aslam 20-9-38-1, Shamsher Singh 12-2-40-0.