Mayank Agarwal continued his rich vein of form by registered his fourth hundred of the season as Karnataka looked good to pile on yet another big total in their Ranji Trophy Group A match against Railways at New Delhi.


Complementing Agarwal, was India limited overs specialist Manish Pandey, who struck an equally good century on the back of his double ton in the previous match.


Agarwal and Pandey put together a 229-run stand for the fourth wicket after the table toppers were reduced to 19 for three in the first hour of the day to take them to 355 for six at stumps on Day 1.


Agarwal unfortunately was out of the last over of the day but not before scoring 173. Manish Pandey departed after scoring a fluent 108.


Elsewhere in Hyederabad, young batsman Himmat Singh missed out on his maiden first class hundred after being run out on 99 but strong batting throughout helped Delhi reach a strong 336 for five against Hyderabad on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group A match, here today.


The 21-year-old Himmat, playing only his second first class game, provided solidity to the Delhi innings with his his brilliant batting at number four but was run out going for the milestone.


His 99 came off 151 balls and he hit 15 shots to the fence during his three hour and 27 minute stay at the crease.


Also scoring half-centuries were openers Kunal Chandela (64) and Lalit Yadav, who was unbeaten on  62 at stumps on day one of the contest.


Gautam Gambhir scored a quick-fire 33 with seven boundaries before being caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Mehdi Hasan, who also trapped Chandela later in the innings.


Talented Rishabh Pant had a disappointing outing as he managed only 16 runs when the stage was set to dominate the home bowlers.


Dharam Shorey (32) also got a start but could not convert it into a big knock. He was cleaned up by off-spinner P Sairam.


At stumps, Manan Sharma (16) was giving compnay to Yadav.


Brief Scores Group A matches:


In Pune, Maharashtra were 65 for three after bundling Assam for 279 in 66.2 overs . (S Roy 80, G Sharma 87; N Dhuman 5/94).


In Delhi, Karnataka were 355 for six in 89.2 overs. (Mayank Agarwal 173, Manish Pandey 108; M Rao 2/65).