Skipper Jaydev Shah led Saurashtra’s impressive batting effort with a fluent 87 before Sheldon Jackson posted an unbeaten half-century to propel the hosts to 274 for five on the first day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Punjab. Opting to bat after winning the toss, the hosts lost Sagar Jogiyani (5) early to Siddharth Kaul. Kaul, who was impressive,  struck twice in the morning, removing Jogiyani and Rahul Dave (16). However, the experienced Sitanshu Kotak and Shah steadied the innings by adding 92 runs for the third wicket.

When it looked like both would have settled down, they threw away their wickets.

Kotak, while trying to cut Harbhajan Singh, gave a simple catch to Mandeep Singh at first slip.

He made 54 with nine fours. Shah failed to clear his lofted shot off Bipul Sharma and was caught by Sandip Sharma at long on. He made 87.

The in-form Arpit Vasavada did not last long and was adjudged leg before off Kaul.

Jackson and Makwana then added 45 runs for the unbroken sixth-wicket partnership.