News Sports Cricket India-New Zealand ODI series: Jadeja keeps India hope alive, 3rd ODI ends in a tie

India-New Zealand ODI series: Jadeja keeps India hope alive, 3rd ODI ends in a tie

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

"There were a few of our batsmen who could have done that. That's a bit disappointing but overall it was a good result, the reason being it keeps us alive in the series. We can't win it but still we can go for a draw."
  
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was surprisingly upbeat after a game his team should have won. He made the unusual decision to award Anderson the last over and the young all rounder showed he was not up to the task by bowling an assortment of wides, half volleys and short-pitched balls.
  
"I thought it was an outstanding game of cricket," McCullum said. "India showed why they are one of the powerhouses of one-day cricket.
  
"We got what we thought was a pretty good score, batting first after being asked to bat first and for much of the second innings we were in control of the game. But they batted exceptionally well to get as close as they did and we had a few opportunities at the end which we didn't take."
  
Guptill overcame an early struggle for runs to reach 111 after New Zealand had been sent in to bat, his century coming from 123 balls.
  
He shared a record 153-run partnership with Kane Williamson (65) for the second wicket which ensured New Zealand reached a competitive total, thought its batting effort waxed and waned.
  
The partnership between Guptill and Williamson was a second-wicket record for New Zealand against India, eclipsing the 138 run stand set by Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming 12 years ago.
  
Luke Ronchi made 38 and Tim Southee 27 not out to add late substance to New Zealand's total.
  
Anderson took 5-63 to disrupt India's reply though his effort was let down by his final over.