Jadeja's late onslaught secures draw for India

Ravindra Jadeja scored 15 runs from the last over to help India claim a thrilling draw in the third ODI against New Zealand on Saturday in Auckland.

The tourists began the last over with only one wicket in hand and a deficit of 18 runs. Jadeja, who was batting on 51 at the time, smashed two fours and a six. The pressure then got to Corey Anderson, who bowled two wides. Jadeja managed a single off the last ball to draw the match.

New Zealand seemed to be in control of the match from the start, reducing India's much-acclaimed batting order to 79 for four. India's lower-middle order then came to the fore to resurrect the innings.

For the first time in India's ODI history, their Nos 6, 7 and 8 all scored half-centuries. Captain MS Dhoni and R Ashwin, who came together with the score on 146, led the fight back. The pair added 38 runs for the sixth wicket.

Dhoni's departure brought Jadeja to the crease. Jadeja and Ashwin then switched gears and began the onslaught. The pair smashed 85 runs from just 55 balls and gave India a chance to do what seemed impossible after the earlier batting collapse.

Jadeja kept his composure in the last over bowled by Anderson. He pulled the first ball for four. He then failed to score off the second and third ball. He flicked the fourth off the rib for four. The next disappeared over midwicket for six. He then managed just a single from the last ball to seal the draw.

"I feel very happy because I have done something for the team," Jadeja said after receiving his Man-of-the-Match award. "I just wanted to play till the last ball, but unfortunately we didn't cross the line, but we have learned a lot from this game. I think we bowled well, but the straight boundaries are very short."

Dhoni said he was disappointed that India failed to capitalise on opportunities that were presented to them. "I think we batted well. But if we are to pick situations where we could have closed the game quite comprehensively, those were the situations we did not grab. It is a bit disappointing, but overall a good result as it keeps us alive in the series."