A total of 628 runs scored on the day cannot separate the sides in a thrilling finish.
New Zealand and India tied their third one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday, keeping the visitors alive in the five-game series.
The home side were dismissed for 314 on the last ball of their 50 overs and India finished on 314-9 when Ravindra Jadeja hit a single of the last ball.
In the New Zealand innings, Martin Guptill made 111 and Kane Williamson 65 while Jadeja took two for 47. For India, Jadeja was not out 66 and Ravi Ashwin made 65 while Corey Anderson took five for 63.
The tie kept the series alive with two matches remaining after New Zealand won the first two matches
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum paid tribute to India’s fighting spirit, admitting his side dodged a bullet.
“I thought it was a brilliant game of cricket. India showed why they are one of the powerhouses of India cricket,” he said.
“We thought we had a powerful score, but I guess that wasn’t the case. They did well to get as close as they did. We had a few opportunities at the end which we didn’t take, which does hurt. We don’t tell the batters anything.
“We just trust they know their games and if they play well then they can definitely get us in a position. We didn’t’ utilize the position well initially when we lost a few too many wickets at one stretch. But credit to India for standing up and not lying down at any stage and keep us on our toes.”
The Kiwi skipper said his side knows it has to tighten up its efforts with the ball, saying extras nearly proved the difference.
“I thought our guys bowled pretty well. We missed a few times, but that is the nature of ODIs, and it hurt when it did. There was a bit of sloppiness in there, but it is hard to fault what was a brilliant game of cricket,” McCullum said.
India captain MS Dhoni was pleased to still be alive in the series, but lamented the chance to be only one game down.
“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,” Dhoni said.
“It is a bit disappointing, but overall a good result as it keeps us alive in the series, even if we can’t win it, we can go for the draw.
“I think the straight boundaries were quite short, and even the bowlers who bowled quick, their strengths are all about going full and going for yorkers, and when it doesn’t then it tends to be hit down the ground.
“I think overall 300 would have been fantastic, and we had a chance but we couldn’t quite do it. I had faith in them (Ashwin and Jadeja), but my problems started when Jadeja told Bhuvi what he needs to do.
“Ashwin should have batted till the end, but this is also the first time he was put into a position like this. I definitely feel like he is someone who can definitely bat like a batsman, and has improved his power hitting as well, which he has been working on.”
Completed scoreboard in the third one-day international between New Zealand and India at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday:
New Zealand Innings
M. Guptill c Rahane b Jadeja 111
J. Ryder b Kumar 20
K. Williamson b Shami 65
C. Anderson b Ashwin 8
R. Taylor run out (Rahane) 17
B. McCullum c Ashwin b Aaron 0
L. Ronchi c Rahane b Jadeja 38
N. McCullum run out (Dhawan/Jadeja) 1
T. Southee run out (Kholi/Dhoni) 27
M. McClenaghan c Jadeja b Shami 3
H. Bennett not out 3
Extras: (lb10, w11) 21
Total: (10 wickets; 50 overs) 314
Fall of wickets: 1-36 (Ryder), 2-189 (Williamson), 3-198 (Anderson), 4-224 (Guptill), 5-230 (B.McCullum), 6-270 (Taylor), 7-280 (N. McCullum), 8-280 (Ronchi), 9-288 (McClenaghan), 10-314 (Southee)
Bowling: Kumar 9-0-48-1 (1w), Shami 10-0-84-2 (2w), Aaron 7-0-52-1 (3w), Jadeja 10-0-47-2 (1w), Ashwin 10-0-47-1, Raina 4-0-26-0
India Innings
S. Dhawan c Guptill b Anderson 28
R. Sharma c Bennett b Anderson 39
V. Kohli c Ronchi b Bennett 6
A. Rahane c Ronchi b Anderson 3
S. Raina c Ronchi b Southee 31
M. Dhonic Southee b Anderson 50
R. Ashwin c Guptill b N. McCullum 65
R. Jadeja not out 66
B. Kumar c N. McCullum b Bennett 4
M. Shami c Williamson b Anderson 2
V. Aaron not out 2
Extras (b1, lb 3, w14) 18
Total (for nine wickets; 50 overs) 314
Fall of wickets: 1-64 (S Dhawan), 2-72 (Sharma), 3-74 (Kohli), 4-79 (Rahane), 5-146 (Raina, 27.4), 6-184 (Dhoni), 7-269 (Ashwin), 8-275 (Kumar), 9-286 (Shami)
Bowling: Southee 10-0-74-1 (4w), McClenaghan 10-0-76-0 (2w), Bennett 10-2-41-2 (2w), Anderson 10-1-63-5 (6w), Williamson 2-0-17-0, N. McCullum 8-0-39-1
Toss: India
Result: game tied
Umpires: Bill Bowden (NZL), Rod Tucker (AUS)
TV umpire: Derek Walker (NZL)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
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