A patient 54 from Bhavik Thaker helped Gujarat score 234 for 4 on Day one of their Super League tie against hosts Railways at the Karnail Singh Stadium.
Railways who last clinched the coveted domestic title in the 2004-05 season, won the toss and put the opposition in on a track that has traditionally favoured spin.
Openers Jay Desai (26) and Priyank Panchal (16) began on a cautious note for the visitors.
Desai in particular, looked in good touch as he smashed three boundaries early in his innings. But the seasoned campaigner in Sanjay Banger ensured that the promising innings was cut short when he found Desai's leg right in front of the wicket.
Just when it looked like the hosts would go for the kill, Niraj Kumar (46) and Thaker rose to the occasion and consolidated the innings.