Skipper Jaydev Shah led an impressive display by Saurashtra's batsmen, scoring a fluent 87 before Sheldon Jackson posted an unbeaten half-century, to propel the hosts to 274 for 5 on the first day of the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Punjab, in Rajkot, on Wednesday.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Saurashtra did not have the best of starts, as they lost Sagar Jogiyani (5) early to Siddharth Kaul.
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Kaul, who looked impressive with both the new and old ball, struck twice in the morning, also dismissing Rahul Dave (16).
However, the experienced Sitanshu Kotak and Shah steadied the innings by adding 92 runs for the third wicket.
Just when it looked as if both had settled won, they threw away their wickets.
Kotak, while trying to cut Harbhajan Singh, failed to gauge the bounce and offered a simple catch to Mandeep Singh at first slip. He scored 54, inclusive of nine fours.
Shah failed to clear his lofted shot, off Bipul Sharma, and was caught by Sandip Sharma at long-on after scoring 87.
The in-form Arpit Vasavada did not last long, adjudged leg before to Kaul.
Jackson and Makwana then added 45 runs for the unbroken sixth-wicket partnership.
The former had a slice of luck when on 70, as Harbhajan took a fine catch at first slip off Kaul, but the third umpire called no-ball.
Kaul was the most successful Punjab bowler, claiming two wickets for 64 runs, while left-arm spinner Sharma and Harbhajan took a wicket each, conceding 10 and 59 runs respectively.
Brief scores:
Saurashtra: 274 for 5 in 87 overs (Jaydev Shah 87, Sheldon Jackson batting 70, Sitanshu Kotak 54; Siddharth Kaul 2-64, Bipul Sharma 1-10, Taruvar Kohli 1-15, Harbhajan Singh 1-59 vs Punjab.
