India senior opener Rohit Sharma is set to open for team India in the impending three-match Test series against Proteas, starting October 2. However, it seems that red-ball cricket is a tough nut to crack.

Opener Rohit Sharma’s worst nightmare came true when he got dismissed for a second-ball duck by South African seamer Vernon Philanderin the first innings on day 3 of the practice match between India’s Board President XI and South Africa at Vizianagaram on Saturday.

While Rohit failed, Priyank Panchal (60 off 77 balls) and Kona Bharat (71 off 57 balls) shine with the bat as the match between South Africa & the India Invitational XI ended in a draw. Board President XI’s managed to score 265/8 in 64 overs.

After Rohit's departure, no. 3 batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran had a short stay at the crease as Rabada dismissed him for mere 13 runs. At this point, India was 23/2 but Mayank Aggarwal and Priyank Panchal stitched a 62-run stand for third wicket.

With Agarwal (39) and Panchal (60) sent back to pavilion by Maharaja and Philander, India's scoreboard read 136 for 5. The batting duo of Siddhesh Lad and KS Bharat rescued India by attaining a 100-run partnership in just 20 overs. Board President’s XI were still 14 runs behind with two wickets left.

With Bharat gone after a fiery 71 off 57 balls, Jalaj Saxena and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja were dismissed by Proteas spinners towards the end of the day. Lad was batting on 52* when both the teams decided to call off the contest.

For South Africa, Vernon Philander (2/27) and Keshav Maharaj (3/35) were the pick of the bowlers as they sent early warning signs to the Indian batsmen ahead of the first official Test at Visakhapatnam.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 279/6 decl (Aiden Markram 100 retd out, Temba Bavuma 87 no, Vernon Philander 48, Dharmendra Jadeja 3/66).

Board President’s XI 265/8 (Rohit Sharma 0, KS Bharat (71), Priyank Panchal (60), Siddesh Lad (52*), Vernon Philander 2/27, Keshav Maharaj 3/35).