Pujara hits 352, Jackson 117 in Saurashtra's semis march

Saurashtra entered the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy by virtue of the first innings lead over Karnataka in the quarter-final match which ended in a draw in Rajkot on Thursday.

They will meet Punjab.

The other semi-final will be between Mumbai and Services. Mumbai went through by virtue of the first innings lead against Baroda at the Wankhede stadium earlier on Thursday.

Services beat favourites Uttar Pradesh by five wickets inside three days, in Indore, on Tuesday.

Saurashtra scored 469 and then restricted Karnataka to 396.

In the second essay, resuming at the overnight score of 463 for 3, Saurashtra ended the day amassing 718 runs and losing nine wickets.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was unbeaten on 261 on Wednesday, Day 4 of the match, continued on his run-spree, scoring 352 and registering the second triple century of his career.

He started the day watchfully, perhaps looking to get past the 400-run mark, but his 344 minutes' stay at the crease ended when a delivery from off-spinner K Gowtham crashed on to the stumps.

Pujara hit 49 fours and a six and added 343 runs for the fourth wicket with Sheldon Jackson, who scored 117, inclusive of 13 fours and a six.

Kamlesh Makwana was batting on 65 when both the captains agreed to call off the match.

Gowtham was the pick of the Karnataka bowlers, claiming four wickets for 206 runs, while K P Apanna and Amit Varma grabbed two each, conceding 178 and 112 runs respectively.

Brief scores:

Saurashtra: 469 & 718 for 9 (Cheteshwar Pujara 352, Sheldon Jackson 117, Gowtham 4-206)

Karnataka: 396.