Sahil Kukreja’s century (137) formed the backbone of Mumbai’s 353 against Karnataka on the opening day of the league match of the all-India invitation Buchi Babu cricket tournament here on Thursday.

Kukreja added 105 for the opening wicket with Ajinkya Rahane (45) and laid a solid foundation for a big total.

For Karnataka, left-arm pacer S Arvind and off-spinner Ryan Ninan claimed three and four wickets respectively.

Debutants Australian Institute of Sports were shot out for 255 against Punjab in another match. Electing to bat, the team from Down Under started cautiously before they were bowled out in 64 overs. Ed Cowan top-scored, while medium-pacer Amanpreet Singh claiming three wickets.

In reply, Punjab were 67 for one in 26 overs in their first innings.

In another match, Assam recovered from a perilous 112 for eight to score 235 all out in 76.4 overs against TNCA XI.

Number eight Arlen Konowa (57) and number nine Sujay Tarafder (59 not out) added 98 for the ninth wicket in 22.3 overs to lend substance to the total. In reply, the home team were 35 for two in 11 overs.