Cheteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 116 to hand Saurashtra the all-important first innings in a semifinal encounter of the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament, here today.
At stumps on the second day, Saurashtra made 254 for five in 82 overs in reply to Assam's 234 all out.
Pujara was highlight of Saurashtra's innings as he scored his runs of 212 deliveries with the help of 15 boundaries and one six.
Chirag Jani (29 not out) was giving Pujara company at the crease at the close of play.
Besides Pujara, Sheldon Jackson (47) and Avi Barot (35) were the other notable run getters for Saurashtra.
For Assam, Arup Das picked up three wickets giving away 68 runs.
Earlier resuming at the overnight score of 193 for seven, Assam managed to add just 41 runs before being bowled out.
Overnight half centurion Amit Verma (98) added 24 runs to his last night's tally before being bowled out just two runs short of his century.
With Verma's dismissal Assam fight came to a halt as they were dismissed in 87 overs.
Left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat shone with the ball for Saurashtra with figures of six for 77 while Hardik Rathod (3/56) scalped three wickets.
Brief Scores:
Assam: 234 all out in 87 overs (Amit Verma 98, KB Arun Karthik 59; Jaydev Unadkat 6/77).
Saurashtra: 254 for five in 82 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 116 not out, Arup Das 3/68).
