Jaipur: Deepak Hooda helped Rajasthan gain the upper hand with a fine hundred on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Kerala at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Tuesday. The hosts reached 310/5 at stumps.
Kerala had reduced the home side to 105/4 after electing to bowl. Fanoos F provided the early breakthrough by sending back Abhijeet Tomar for 10 with the total on 25.
Mahipal Lomror was the next to go after a 61-run stand with opener Yash Kothari. Basil Thampi cleaned up the left-hander for 23.
Kothari fell for an 84-ball 58 as he was castled by left-arm spinner Sijomon Joseph. He hit eight fours.
Captain Ashok Menaria was dismissed by Jalaj Saxena for a duck as Rajasthan collapsed to 105/4. However, Hooda found an ally in Salman Faruk Khan (62 batting).
The two added 191 runs for the fifth wicket.
Hooda, who brought up his 10th first-class hundred, hit 14 fours and a six in his 187-ball knock. He made 133 before being caught by Fanoos off Saxena's bowling shortly before close of play.
Brief scores: Rajasthan 310/5 in 87 overs (Deepak Hooda 133, Salamn Faruk Khan 62 batting, Yash Kothari 58; Jalaj Saxena 2/74) vs Kerala.
