It was an interesting opening day of the first Test between India and Australia in Pune as both teams seemed to wrestle the upper hand from each other throughout the day.
By the end of play on Thursday, Australia’s score read 256-9 and they will be pleased with that effort, having been reduced to 205-9 before the final wicket assault.
Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Starc were the stars for the visitors, both notching up half-centuries. For India, Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets for 32 runs.
There was a lot of praise on Twitter for Renshaw, Starc and Umesh for their performances, with former Aussie fast bowler Damien Fleming comparing Renshaw’s batting to that of Matthew Hayden from the 2001 tour.
Australian legend Shane Warne felt that the men from Down Under have their noses in front while former captain Michael Clarke feels that it’s too early to judge the wicket.
Umesh’s spell, on the other hand, found praise from South Africa quick Dale Steyn.
India batsman Rohit Sharma, who is out of action due to an injury, praised wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha for his brilliant one-handed catch to dismiss Steve O’Keefe.
See all of this and more in our round-up of the best tweets from day one, below.
Pretty even day here in Pune for the 1st test. Aust marginally ahead with that last wicket partnership. Young Renshaw was outstanding today
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 23, 2017
Umesh at it again #skiddygas
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 23, 2017
Good day Australia!
— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) February 23, 2017
Never judge a wicket until both teams have batted
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) February 23, 2017
#FlyingSaha is what we should call him, remember one he took against South Africa in Delhi #IndvAus #Ripper
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) February 23, 2017
Well bowled by Indian bowllers special umesh yadav 👏👏👏👏
— Mohammed Shami (@MdShami11) February 23, 2017
Loving " @HaydosTweets 2001 tour" sequel from Mat Renshaw🏏
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) February 23, 2017
Using feet to hit with spin down ground
Or
Sweeping hard and fine 👍👍👍#IndvAus
The major key to Batting on turning pitches is NOT to fight the spin. Instead, use it to create angles to score.. just adjust
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) February 23, 2017
Mitchell Starc has hit 26 sixes in Tests. More than Rahul Dravid, Alastair Cook, Steve Waugh, Graeme Smith, Graham Gooch. #Trivia #IndvAus
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 23, 2017
Smith c Kohli b Ashwin
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 23, 2017
No.1 batsman caught by No.2 batsman off No.1 bowler's delivery. #IndvAus
Matt Renshaw top scorer by far for the Aussies but criticised for getting sick by macho ex-captains #IndvAus #AUSvIND
— Nick (@Oostralian) February 23, 2017