Auckland, New Zealand: Ravindra Jadeja smashed 15 runs from the last over to complete an unbeaten 66 as India snatched a thrilling tie with New Zealand in the third one-day cricket international on Saturday, keeping alive the five-match series which New Zealand leads 2-0.
India came to the last over with only one wicket in hand, needing 18 runs to overtake New Zealand's 50-over total of 314 which was made possible by an innings of 111 from opener Martin Guptill.
Jadeja reached the final over at 51 not out, having posted his first half century in one-day internationals, and had been given the strike by his last-wicket partner Varun Aaron.
He smashed two fours and a six while Corey Anderson for New Zealand delivered two wides, then took a single from the last ball to leave the scores tied.
New Zealand seemed to have the match in its control when it first reduced India to 79-4, then, after captain MS Dhoni made 50 and Ravichandran Ashwin 65, had them 286-9 with 2.1 overs remaining.
It seemed all that was needed was a sound bowling and fielding performance over the last couple of overs to ensure New Zealand took a winning 3-0 lead in the five match series; a rare series win over World Cup champions India.
But Jadeja, who had put on 85 runs in a critical partnership with Ashwin for the seventh wicket, showed a steely nerve to steer India steadily toward a winning total. He helped his team take 11 runs from the 49th over and, playing his luck after being dropped on the boundary with nine balls remaining, hit his team to the brink of an incredible victory.
