Jaipur: Fine half centuries by Samit Gohil, Priyank Kirit Panchal and B H Merai propelled visitors Gujarat to a comfortable 258 for four at the end of first day's play in their Ranji Trophy Group B league match against Rajasthan here today.
At stumps, Merai (63 not out) was at the crease with K D Patel (17) giving him company.
It was Rajasthan skipper and Test medium player Pankaj Singh who won the toss and chose to field on a wicket which had a fair amount of grass on it.
Some wayward bowling and a bit of luck saw Gujarat openers Gohil (52) and Panchal (68) settling down to add 108 runs for the first wicket.
Rajasthan could break through after the lunch break with Pankaj Singh having Gohil plumb in front just before tea. Panchal struck 12 fours.
The third session belonged to Rajasthan as they got rid of Parthiv Patel (18) while Manjit Choudhary and Venu Gopal Rao (22) were trapped in front of the wicket by Shailendra Gehlot, reducing the visitors to 234 for four.
After that Merai, who hit five fours, held one end while Patel too showed composure.
For Rajasthan, Manjit Singh Choudhary picked two for 64, while Pankaj Singh and Shailendra Gehlot had one apiece.
