Opening batsman Rohit Prakash hit an unbeaten century to help Uttar Pradesh reach 233 for three against Punjab on the first day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'A' cricket match at Meerut today.

Prakash was batting on 134 with Rizwan Shamshad on six at the close, which came five overs before the scheduled end because of fading light.

After the hosts won the toss and elected to bat, Prakash and Jyoti Yadav put on 197 runs off 307 balls for the opening stand.

Rajesh Sharma gave Punjab the breakthrough when he had Yadav caught by Chandan Madan for 72.

Yadav's dismissal was followed by two quick wickets of Anshul Kapoor, leg before to Navdeep Singh, and Rajat Elahi, bowled by Sharma.

Brief scores: Uttar Pradesh 233 for 3 in 85 overs (Jyoti Yadav 72, Rohit Prakash 134 batting; Rajesh Sharma 2-36, Navdeep Singh 1-36) vs Punjab.