Press Trust of India
Mumbai, Oct 30: Lokesh Rahul (72, 132b, 13×4) enhanced his case for inclusion in India’s first Test XI with a composed half century, guiding Board President’s XI past a difficult period on day one of the two-day practice game against visiting South Africa here Friday.
Watched by selector Syed Saba Karim, the Karnataka batsman showed plenty of grit against the top class South African new ball attack before opening out to play some pleasing shots at the at the Brabourne Stadium here. He was associated in a 105-run partnership with Karnataka teammate Karun Nair (44, 70b, 9×4) after the home side had been reduced to 27 for three.
Wicket-keeper Naman Ojha (52, 80b, 7×4, 1×6) later feasted on the South African spinners before he was dismissed by Dale Steyn (3/46) for his third wicket when the fast bowler came back for his third spell.
Hardik Pandya (47, 55b, 6×4, 3×6) used the long handle to good effect to take the team score close to the 300-run mark when the innings folded after tea.
In the remaining time, the visiting openers Stiaan van Zyl (18) and Dean Elgar (18 batting) put on 38 before the former was dismissed by Shardul Thakur (2/28). The medium pacer then sent back nightwatchman Harmer (4) in the last over to leave the visitors 46 for two at stumps.
In the morning, after opting to bat, the home team plunged into trouble when opener Unmukt Chand (4) poked at the fifth ball from Steyn that swung away and edged to the slip cordon.
Skipper Cheteshwar Pujara, also fighting to get into the final XI for the opening Test commencing at Mohali, November 5, was the next to go, edging the other new ball bowler, Vernon Philander (2/37) to gully for five after a stay of 23 minutes. And when Shreyas Iyer was beaten for pace by Steyn to be caught behind the innings was wobbling.
The dire situation called for some cautious approach against the potent pace battery of South Africa to survive and rebuild and the hosts found the men in Rahul and Nair to do the job.
Nair played two excellent front foot cover drives off Kagiso Rabada in an over before lunch to show his intent, and then both the batsmen played the spin bowlers comfortably to take the Board President’s XI to 100 for three at lunch.