Riding on a fine unbeaten 158 by the in form opener Jai P Yadav, Central Zone ended with 342 for three at stumps on the opening day of their Duleep Trophy match against West Zone at the VCA stadium in Nagpur on Thursday.

It was a good toss to win for Central Zone skipper Amay Khurasiya and Yadav and Amit Pagnis (62) gave their side a splendid start by putting on 131 runs off 29.2 overs. Pagnis was then out to Hrishikesh Kanitkar after facing 92 balls and hitting eleven fours. Kanitkar struck again in his next over when he bowled the dangerous Khurasiya for just one. But Yadav and Md Kaif prevented a collapse by some confident batting. After scoring 46 however, Kaif retired hurt, He faced 89 balls and hit five fours. The experienced Gagan Khoda was out quickly, leg before to Zaheer Khan for four. But Yadav continued to bat with ease and he and Raja Ali took the score from 244 to 342 off 25.4 overs. By close, Yadav had faced 272 balls and hit 22 fours and a six. Raja Ali, who had dominated the unbroken fourth wicket partnership, was on 54 at stumps. He has so far faced 93 balls and hit six fours and a six. Kanitkar picked up two wickets but was expensive, conceding 70 runs in his 13 overs.

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