Rahul, Ojha take BPXI to 296 against Proteas in warm-up game

Lokesh Rahul and Naman Ojha scored half-century each to help Indian Board President's XI (BPXI) post the first-inning score of 296 against South Africans in the opening day of the two-day warm-up Test here at Brabourne Stadium on Friday.

Opting to bat first, Rahul smashed an impressive 72, including 13 boundaries before being dismissed by Simon Harmer.

Hardik Pandya and Naman Ojha steadied the innings by scoring 47 and 52 respectively. Karun Nair also scored valuable 44 runs.

Meanwhile, the hosts lost skipper Cheteshwar Pujara for meager five runs.

For the visitors, Dale Steyn and Harmer claimed three wickets each while Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt and Imran Tahir shared four wickets among themselves.

At the draw of the stumps, South Africans were 46-2, with opener Dean Elgar (18) at the crease.

The first of the four-match Test series between India and South Africa will begin from November 5 at Mohali.