Gaurav Ghei was the lone Indian to ensure action over the weekend while his four compatriot in the fray crashed out at the midway stage of the BMW Asian Open golf tournament in Shanghai on Friday.

Ghei (70) went two-under to total one-over 145 for 36 holes and was placed tied 44th. Ghei was the lone Indian of the five to play the last two rounds last week at volvo China Open, though Shiv Kapur made the cut and then pulled out due to a back strain.

The overall lead was held by Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin (69) who had earlier shot 66 in the first round. At nine-under 135 he was three strokes clear of second place Lee Sung Man of Korea (70). Lee Sung is deaf and mute and is looking for his maiden win on Asian or European Tour.

Five players including former champion Miguel Angel Jimenez (69) and Colin Montgomerie (70) were tied for third place.

Ghei fired three birdies and had just one blemish with the bogey coming on par-4 16th hole. Ghei's birdies came on second, 14th and 15th holes.

India's other four players Rahil gangjee (74), Shiv Kapur (72), SSP Chowrasia (75) and Amandeep Johl (76) missed the cut. Gangjee was done in by a late double bogey on par-3 14th, where he went for five.

He then needed a birdie on the 18th to squeeze into the cut line, but he managed only a par and was left out in the cold by just one shot.

Kapur last week pulled out due to a back strain and this week had a disastrous round of 77 on first day.