In-form batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored an outstanding unbeaten century to guide Saurashtra into the Ranji Trophy semifinals with a five-wicket victory over Karnataka on the fourth and final day of the quarterfinal tie.

Chasing a stiff target of 325 set by their opponents, Saurashtra romped home by making 327 for five in the last session of play at the Brabourne Stadium. The right handed Pujara remained unbeaten on 112 in 224 balls with 15 boundaries after forging crucial and successive partnerships with three left handers -- experienced Sitanshu Kotak, who made 87, all rounder Ravindra Jadeja (55) and skipper Jaydev Shah (55 not out) -- to guide his side home.

The 20-year young lad has been in great form in the domestic championship this season with a tally of over 750 runs before this tie, put on a crucial partnership stand of 163 runs for the fourth wicket with Kotak, who hit 12 fours in his 147-ball stay.

Their stand rescued Saurashtra, who trailed Karnataka by 116 runs in the first innings, from a wobbly position of 13 for three in the morning and helped them turn the match around in fine style. After Kotak's fall at 176, Pujara had another left hander for company in Jadeja, who had already made his mark by taking nine wickets in the match, and the duo added 77 runs in only 78 balls to put Saurashtra on the path of win.

Pujara and the aggressive Shah, who struck nine fours and a six in his 43-ball unbeaten cameo, then piloted their side home with an unfinished stand of 74 runs. Saurashtra will meet West Zone rivals Mumbai in the semi final in Chennai from January 4-7.

The scores:

Karnataka — 1st innings: 305.
Saurashtra — 1st innings: 189.
Karnataka — 2nd innings: 208.
Saurashtra — 2nd innings: C. Pathak c Naidu b Vinay Kumar 0, B. Chauhan c Akhil b Vinay Kumar 6, K. Makwana c Naidu b Vinay Kumar 0, S. Kotak c & b Raghu 87, C. Pujara (not out) 112, R. Jadeja c Gautam b Raghu 55, J. Shah (not out) 55, Extras (b-4, lb-8) 12; Total ( for five wkts. in 79 overs): 327.

Karnataka bowling: R. Vinay Kumar 20-1-84-3, S. Aravind 11-4-34-0, N. Aiyappa 7-1-37-0, S. Joshi 27-6-84-0, B. Akhil 3-1-10-0, C. Raghu 11-1-66-2.