New Zealand v India, 2013-14
Wisden's review of the third ODI, New Zealand v India, 2013-14
15-Apr-2015
At Auckland, January 25, 2014 (day/night). Tied. Toss: India.
New Zealand seemed set for a 3-0 lead with two to play until India's spinners, Jadeja and Ashwin, joined forces with the bat. Chasing 315, India had looked out of it when Dhoni's departure in the 36th over left them 184 for six. But a stand of 85 in nine overs resuscitated their chances in front of a cacophonous crowd of over 28,000. Ashwin fell for 65 off 46 deliveries when Guptill pulled off a balletic catch on the midwicket boundary, popping the ball up as his momentum carried him over the ropes, then stepping back into the field of play to complete the dismissal. At 286 for nine with 13 balls to go, India seemed dead and buried once more. But Jadeja shielded last man Aaron, and they needed 18 off the final over, bowled by Anderson, who already had five wickets. That became 12 off three balls, then - after Jadeja hit a four and a six - two to win off the last. A squirted off-side single meant a dramatic tie, with Jadeja finishing on 66 from 45 balls. The tagline of his parody Twitter account - "Form is temporary, I'm permanent" - felt apt. Guptill's fifth one-day international century and a stand of 153 with Williamson, a second-wicket record for Eden Park, had helped New Zealand to 314, but there was no room for complacency: they had chased down Australia's 336 for four here in February 2007. And New Zealand might have scored more, only for wild hitting, questionable running, and exemplary fielding from India to keep them within bounds.
Man of the Match: R. A. Jadeja.
New Zealand seemed set for a 3-0 lead with two to play until India's spinners, Jadeja and Ashwin, joined forces with the bat. Chasing 315, India had looked out of it when Dhoni's departure in the 36th over left them 184 for six. But a stand of 85 in nine overs resuscitated their chances in front of a cacophonous crowd of over 28,000. Ashwin fell for 65 off 46 deliveries when Guptill pulled off a balletic catch on the midwicket boundary, popping the ball up as his momentum carried him over the ropes, then stepping back into the field of play to complete the dismissal. At 286 for nine with 13 balls to go, India seemed dead and buried once more. But Jadeja shielded last man Aaron, and they needed 18 off the final over, bowled by Anderson, who already had five wickets. That became 12 off three balls, then - after Jadeja hit a four and a six - two to win off the last. A squirted off-side single meant a dramatic tie, with Jadeja finishing on 66 from 45 balls. The tagline of his parody Twitter account - "Form is temporary, I'm permanent" - felt apt. Guptill's fifth one-day international century and a stand of 153 with Williamson, a second-wicket record for Eden Park, had helped New Zealand to 314, but there was no room for complacency: they had chased down Australia's 336 for four here in February 2007. And New Zealand might have scored more, only for wild hitting, questionable running, and exemplary fielding from India to keep them within bounds.
Man of the Match: R. A. Jadeja.