Twitter Reactions: Smith-Maxwell dominate Indian bowlers on Day 1

After a long gap and a series of events outside the field, there was finally some action at the stadium as the third test began at Ranchi. Inspite of the home boy MS Dhoni having retired from tests, the crowd was at it’s splendid best on what was a working day. Australia looked in a great position at the end of day 1.

Earlier in the day, it was Captain Steve Smith who won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia had 2 changes from the last game with both Mitchells having got injured as Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins came in as replacements. For India, Murali Vijay found his way back into the XI in place of Abhinav Mukund.

Australia kickstarted their innings in an emphatic fashion before David Warner gave his wicket away on what was a full toss by Ravindra Jadeja. Matt Renshaw who was looking solid at 44. However, Umesh Yadav bowled well after a not so good spell as Renshaw ended up edging one to Virat Kohli at slip.

Ravichandran Ashwin provided another breakthrough in the form of Shaun Marsh to reduce the mighty Australians to 89/3. Initially he was given not out by the onfield umpire before India finally cashed in on a review. Inspite of scoring runs, the first session belonged to India who took 3 wickets.

While Steve Smith kept accelerating, Australia lost Peter Handscomb to a fine inswinging yorker from Umesh Yadav. There was never a dull moment for the visitors after that. What followed was the biggest partnership of the tour so far.

Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell combined for an unbeaten 159 run partnership for the fifth wicket. While Smith went on to score yet another spectacular century, Maxwell batted exceptionally well to stay 82 not out. Australia cruised to 299/4 at stumps on Day one.

There wasn’t as much turn for the Indian spinners as it was during the first two games. Twitter had their dose of entertainment as Saha tried to hold on to the ball while Steve Smith was batting. Rest, the day belonged to Australia who dominated the hosts throughout the last 2 sessions.

Here are some of the amazing Twitter reactions that took place during the course of the game:

Maxi has no demons playing Ashwin, you can tell in his body language & his intent to score. Maxi to change gear any min @StarSportsIndia ! ✔

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 16, 2017

@stevesmith49 you legend.

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 16, 2017

Steve Smith.. 19 hundreds in 53 tests!! ??

— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) March 16, 2017

You ripper Aus ?? @stevesmith49 & @Gmaxi_32 outstanding day! Drive it in tomorrow ? #INDvAUS

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 16, 2017

Brilliant @stevesmith49 and @Gmaxi_32!! Great day of test cricket.

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) March 16, 2017

@Gmaxi_32 has proved a hell of a lot people wrong today, but more importantly he's proved himself right ?#INDvAUS

— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) March 16, 2017

Great day Australia! Congrats to @stevesmith49, pure class! @Gmaxi_32 turn tomorrow for his maiden! #cmonaussie

— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) March 16, 2017

Brilliant, just brilliant!#INDvAUS https://t.co/X57LtOeJNd

— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) March 16, 2017

Bloody he'll @stevesmith49 is some player …. Another player who doesn't play to the text book … a lesson to all coaches … #IndvAus

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 16, 2017

Keep them coming @stevesmith49 another very well played Test match ?

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 16, 2017

19th Test ?for the Skipper Steven Smith ?
Tick to leadership, patience and sticking to your game plan#GoBigNow#IndvAus

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) March 16, 2017

Now that's a fantastic ? from @stevesmith49 showing great skill and character. #INDvAUS

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 16, 2017

Absolutely magnificent hundred from Smith. What a player! Australia is so lucky to have such a great captain. #IndvAus

— Paul Dennett (@the_summer_game) March 16, 2017

Seems like Saha got confused between the concept of catching the ball. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/HQ3dtERUcm

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 16, 2017

Did Michael Clarke just say "India will have to bowl Australia out or else they will keep batting?".

Huge if true.#IndvAus

— Doctor Fiveball (@DoctorFiveball) March 16, 2017

Steve Smith is a really considerate fellow.
He saw Virat Kohli's horrible form; so decided to bat for both of them.

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 16, 2017

Balls faced in the series so far:
Glenn Maxwell 86
Virat Kohli 81#Maxwellball #IndvAus

— Ethan (@ethan_meldrum) March 16, 2017

Still no Kohli for India as both teams return to the field for the final session of day one. Aus 4-194 #INDvAUS

— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) March 16, 2017

https://twitter.com/altcricket/status/842297077430407168

Smith is third fastest to 5000 runs in terms of matches & joins Bradman as the only player to have 5000 runs at average of 60 plus. #IndvAus

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) March 16, 2017

Umesh Yadav getting reverse swing right.
Batsman expecting one thing, get another.

Exactly like voters toward Yadavs.

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 16, 2017

Pretty disappointing the way that Kohli immediately looked to the dressing room for advice on how his shoulder should be treated. #INDvAUS

— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) March 16, 2017

which shoulder is it, champ? #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/cp6hTM1eBX

— Matt Coleman (@_MattColeman) March 16, 2017

The only person who gives 100% on the field! #IndvAus #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/1NVA7RuDkJ

— Prajakta Bhawsar (@Virats_Fangirl) March 16, 2017

Shaun Marsh got out early just to give a tribute to his brother. Respect #Bromance. #IndvAus

— ️Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 16, 2017

Condemning a pitch before a ball has been bowled is like sentencing a person before a hearing.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 16, 2017

Australian fans after watching David Warner get out on a full toss. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/YSl1q1gGPJ

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 16, 2017

Can't blame India's bowlers.
They woke up for a test.
Australia is playing an ODI.
Outright cheating.#IndvAus

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) March 16, 2017

Warner has shown his commitment to the spirit of cricket by getting out to a ball that didn't land on this doctored pitch

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) March 16, 2017

Have they lowered the curtains in front of the Aus dress room yet ?#Smith

— Fake Mitch Johnson (@NotMitchJohnson) March 16, 2017

David Warner is dismissed of a full toss of Jadeja. To his credit, he escaped from Ashwin #IndvAus

— Shashi (@AllTimeBakchod) March 16, 2017

Kohli can't even look at the pavilion for review because Kumble is busy watching Nat Geo HD.

— . (@The_Sleigher) March 16, 2017