Jaipur, Jan 4: Former India opener Akash Chopra scored a patient century to set the platform for a huge first innings total for Rajasthan against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semi-final on Monday.

Chopra, who was unbeaten on 115, smashed 13 boundaries and shared a 181-run partnership with Vineet Saxena (72) as the hosts ended Day 1 at 236 for one. This was Chopra's third hundred of the season.

Tamil Nadu skipper Dinesh Karthik's decision to invite Rajasthan to bat first backfired as openers Chopra and Saxena survived the initial overs to propel their team to a big total.

Saxena was the first one to depart when he tried to sweep spinner Suresh Kumar but only ended up getting bowled as he played down the wrong line. He made 72 runs off 204 deliveries and hit nine boundaries and one six. Night watchman Vivek Yadav (1*) was giving company to Chopra at stumps.

Brief Score: Rajasthan 1st innings: 236/1 in 85 overs (Akash Chopra 115 not out; Suresh Kumar 1/81).