Jadeja’s heroics keep India in the series

Southpaw scores 17 off last over to help tie third ODI with New Zealand.

AUCKLAND:

Ravindra Jadeja kept India’s One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand alive by scoring 17 off the final over to tie an epic third match of the series at Eden Park on Saturday.

New Zealand were on the verge of sealing a series win, after making 314 and then removing the cream of India’s batting talent to have the tourists at 184 for six with less than 15 overs remaining.

But Jadeja, who finished unbeaten on 66, and Ravi Ashwin who posted a career-best 65, ensured India stayed in the game.

Despite Jadeja’s heroics, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt his side wasted an opportunity to seal a victory.

“You’re supposed to pick situations where we could have closed the game quite comprehensively,” he said.

“Those were the situations that we didn’t grab so that’s a bit disappointing. But (it’s also a) good result because it keeps us alive in the series. We can’t win it but we can go for a draw.”

Corey Anderson, who finished with figures of five for 63, was asked to bowl the final over to a blazing Jadeja. However, he failed to contain the all-rounder who belted two fours, a six and a single to go with two wides.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2014.

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