Gambhir's century lifts Delhi

Delhi 260 for 6 (Gambhir 123*, Bhatia 47, Tyagi 2-45) v Saurashtra
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Three days after being omitted from India's 30-man squad for the 2015 World Cup, Delhi opener Gautam Gambhir muscled a 38th first-class hundred to lead the team to 260 for 6 on the first day of their Ranji clash against Saurashtra at the Roshanara Club Ground. Delhi, having been inserted, began well, as Gambhir and Unmukt Chand added 53 for the opening wicket. Sudeep Tyagi made the breakthrough, dismissing Chand for 28 and later having Varun Sood caught behind for 14. It brought Gambhir and Virender Sehwag together at the crease, but the pair's partnership lasted less than five overs, as Sehwag, who was also left out of the World Cup probables, was unable to shake off his poor run in domestic cricket and was run out for nine. The hosts were precariously placed at 145 for 4, but Gambhir and Rajat Bhatia (47) led a recovery by adding 88 for the fifth wicket. Bhatia and Puneet Bisht both fell towards the end of the day, but Gambhir remained unbeaten on 123, with 14 fours and two sixes.

Odisha 223 for 5 (Natraj 66, Samantray 64*, Joseph 2-29) v Maharashtra
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Fifties from Natraj Behera and Biplab Samantray led Odisha to a promising 223 for 5 at stumps on day one against Maharashtra in Pune. Odisha, opting to bat, began steadily, as Natraj shared 40-plus stands for the first two wickets with Girjia Rout and Niranjan Behera. Natraj eventually fell for 66, having hit 12 fours, as Shrikant Mundhe (2 for 61) and Domnic Joseph (2 for 29) helped Maharashtra fight back with quick blows. Odisha were struggling at 145 for 5, but Samantray and Halhadar Das put up an unbroken stand of 78 to lead the team past the 200-run mark. Samantray muscled four fours and two sixes to make his way to 64 not out.

Haryana 19 for 1 trail Punjab 273 (Yuvraj 59, Jayant 6-85) by 254 runs
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Haryana offspinner Jayant Yadav collected a career-best 6 for 85 to wreck Punjab's top and middle order, and helped bowl the team out for 273 in Patiala. Punjab, batting first, were well-placed at 233 for 4, as their top-order batsmen all pitched in with handy scores. Yuvraj Singh top-scored with 59 and added 84 for the fifth wicket with Gurkeerat Singh (43), but Gurkeerat's dismissal in the 67th over triggered a slide that saw Punjab lose their last six wickets for just 40 runs. Apart from Jayant's six-for, Amit Mishra chipped in with 3 for 72. Haryana lost their opener Avi Barot early in their reply, and ended the day with 19 for 1, trailing by 254 runs.

Gujarat 258 for 4 (Panchal 68, Merai 63*, Gohel 52) v Rajasthan
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Gujarat's top three batsmen all raised fifties, helping the team to 258 for 4 against Rajasthan in Jaipur. Gujarat, after being inserted, started brightly, as the openers Samit Gohel and Priyank Panchal put up a 108-run partnership. Gohel fell for 52, but Panchal and Bhargav Merai carried on, adding 53 for the second wicket. Manjeet Singh picked up two quick wickets, including that of Panchal for 68, but another important partnership - 50 for the fourth wicket between Merai and Venugopal Rao - guided Gujarat to a competitive score at stumps. Merai remained unbeaten on 63, with five fours.