He smashed the first ball of the last over for four, accepted a wide next ball which added a run and a ball to India's total, then failed to score off the next two deliveries.
He cleverly stepped inside the next ball from Corey Anderson to accrue another wide, to give himself another ball and one less run to carry India to its target.
Jadeja smashed a four to fine leg and a six down the ground the leave India needing two runs from the last ball as it searched for its first win of the series. But the last ball from Anderson was full and all he could do was to steer it to mid off for a single to leave the scores tied.
"I'm feeling very happy because I did something for my team," Jadeja said. "I was just looking to play each ball as it came.
"Me and Ashwin (65) were playing and talking, saying that we just have to play to the last ball. Unfortunately we didn't cross the line. But we learned a lot from the match and we will just try again next match."
India's pursuit of New Zealand's total of 314, made in exactly 50 overs, was fraught at times. They were 79-4 in the 18th over, having lost their first four batsman, and they seemed to have lost their way before Dhoni revived their innings with his 53rd half century in one day internationals, his second of the series.
Ashwin and Jadeja pushed India closer to what still seemed an unattainable total and finally Jadeja, who took his 66 runs from 45 balls with five fours and four sixes, guided them to a tie.
"I think we batted well," Dhoni said. "But if you're supposed to pick situations where we could have closed the game quite comprehensively, those were the situations we didn't grab.
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
Read all the Breaking News Live on indiatvnews.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Sports and Cricket Section
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
New Zealand announce squad for India ODIs, three key stars make emphatic returns; Check details
-
Arunachal Pradesh forfeit Ranji Trophy opener amid cricket association dispute
-
Shubman Gill set to miss Punjab's Ranji Trophy opener, could return against Chhattisgarh
-
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is in his prime, thinking is somewhat similar to mine: Sehwag
-
Chahal raises concerns over bat-ball balance after West Indies chase 250 against India in 2nd T20I
Top News
-
'Will take forward development of Tamil Nadu, together with CM Vijay': PM Modi at Chennai event
-
No barricading or internet shutdown, metro to run normally: SC to Delhi Police on CJP's protest
-
CJP Protest LIVE: CJP vows to continue fight; several detained as stir continues in parts of Delhi
-
New Zealand announce squad for India ODIs, three key stars make emphatic returns; Check details
Advertisement
Advertisement