"Proper X Factor in middle overs for NZ" - Fans react to Lockie Ferguson's 3/59 vs India in 1st ODI

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson bowled exceptionally well during the first One-Day International match against India at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday (November 25).

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and put India to bat first on a surface dubbed "batter-friendly." Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan (72) and Shubman Gill (50) set the tone for the visitors with their 124-run opening stand, before Lockie Ferguson provided the much-needed breakthrough by taking the wicket of Gill in the 24th over.

In the 33rd over of the Indian innings Ferguson stamped his authority once again, bagging two wickets in the space of four balls. He bowled short and wide outside off stump to Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who edged it onto the stumps.

Pant's dismissal brought star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav to the crease. On the very first ball of his innings, 'SKY' played a phenomenal cover drive for a boundary.

But if anyone thought the Indian batting sensation would produce another masterclass with the bat, Ferguson had an upset in store for them.

The New Zealand speedster bowled another short ball to induce the outside edge of Suryakumar's bat, with Finn Allen, positioned at first slip, pouching comfortably. Ferguson's double blow left India at 160 for 4 after 33 overs. He finished his sizzling spell with 3 for 59 from 10 overs at an economy of 5.9.

Here's how cricket fans reacted to Lockie Ferguson's spell on Twitter.

---

Shreyas Iyer's 80 guides India to 306/7

Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson continued the task of ticking the scoreboard over with some crackling shots in the middle overs. The pair added 94 runs in 77 balls before Samson departed for 36 off 38 balls in the 46th over.

India put up a commendable 306/7 in the first innings as Iyer scored 80 and Washington Sundar played a wonderful cameo of 37 runs in 16 balls.