Face2News/Chandigarh:

A splendid century from Chirag Jani (153) along with 99 runs knock from Harvik Desai helped Saurashtra to laid a strong foundation of 299/2 against UT boys on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy league match being played at GMSSS Ground, Sector 26 on Wednesday.

Earlier, skipper Manan Vohra won the toss and invited visitors to bat first. The captain's decision went in his favour when Jagjeet Sandhu took the first wicket of Tarang Gohal on the very first delivery of the innings. Despite this exceptional start, hosts failed to cash on this dream start.

Later, Desai and Jani made the opposition deprived for a wicket by stitching a 237 runs partnership. In the 65th over of the innings, Nishunk Birla gave the much awaited breakthrough for Chandigarh when his magical spin stumped Desai, who fell just short one run of his century. Batter scored 99 runs with the help of 14 boundaries Meanwhile, Jani continued to exploit UT bowlers with his new partner Sheldon Jackson with 62 run partnership. Unbeaten Jani amassed 153 studded with 21 boundaries and two beyond the fence while Jackson added 34 before the stumps were drawn with 299/2 on the board.