Gagan Khoda's second century on the trot and a counter-attacking half-century by Pankaj Singh brought Rajasthan within touching distance of Hyderabad's first innings total on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Super League cricket match in Jaipur on Sunday.
Khoda struck a masterly 107 which in combination with a fighting 74 by Pankaj Singh helped Rajasthan reach 347 for 8 at the close at the Sawai Mansingh stadium.
The hosts still had to rely on a rearguard 98-run stand for the eighth wicket between Pankaj Singh and England import Kabir Ali to be 39 runs away from taking the all important first innings lead.
Ali on 46 and Mohammad Aslam on 23 were at the crease at stumps.
Khoda's back to back ton came from 225 balls and contained 15 fours and one six.
India under-19 left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha picked 5-113 for the visitors.
Earlier, medium pacer P Kaushik Reddy and Ojha made early inroads into the Rajasthan innings, reducing the hosts to 184 for 5 at lunch.
Rajasthan lost two more wickets in the second session, including that of Khoda. But Pankaj Singh (74) and Ali thwarted Hyderabad bowlers.
Scorecard
Hyderabad, 1st innings: 385
Rajasthan, 1st innings:
D Yagnik lbw N P Singh 7
G Khoda b Reddy 107
N Doru c Rayudu b Ojha 40
R Bishnoi c Yadav b Ojha 7
V Solanki b Reddy 0
R Kanwat c Khaleel b Ojha 15
A Jadeja c Khaleel b Ojha 15
Pankaj Singh c Teja b Ojha 74
K Ali batting 46
Md. Aslam batting 23
Extras (nb-7, b-1, lb-5) 13
Total (for 8 wkts, 138 overs) 347
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-115, 3-130, 4-131, 5-163, 6-195, 7-213, 8-311.
Bowling: N P Singh 17-5-55-1, P K Reddy 22-4-72-2, Pragyan Ojha 56-19-113-5, I S Reddy 37-8-86-0, Ravi Teja 5-2-11-0, T S Suman 1-0-4-0
