IND vs NZ: How Reckless Shots from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan Hurt India's Chances in Pune

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IND vs NZ: Team India were bowled out for a meager 156 runs in the first innings in response to New Zealand's 259 in the ongoing Pune Test. After losing the Test opener in Bengaluru, there was relentless pressure on India and they were hoping to pounce straightway with a statement but that wasn't meant to be the case.

The Kiwis exposed India's vulnerability against spin as the hosts lost nine wickets out of 10. Some of the dismissals were due to poor shot selection. When India were in a real spot of bother after losing Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal early on Day 2, the team required the batters to steady the ship with a risk-free approach.

However, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant threw their wickets away with their poor shot selection, which turned the game in favour of the Kiwis in the first innings. After the trio's dismissals, the hosts were never in a position to back into the game. Although Ravindra Jadeja provided some chunk to the scoreboard with 38, that wasn't enough to get close to the visitors' first innings total.

Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan Succumb to Poor Shot Choices in Pune

Virat Kohli was dismissed in an unusual manner while facing Mitchell Santner. It was a moment of misjudgment from Kohli as he failed to real a low full toss from left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. The senior pro opted to play an across-the-line slog sweep but the ball just sneaked under his bat and hit the stumps. The former Indian captain went back to the pavilion in disbelief.

It was at that moment where a more measured approach would have helped India stabilize the innings but Kohli's dismissal added to the pressure on the middle order, which left the team exposed.

Rishabh Pant who usually thrives on putting bowlers under pressure with audacious strokes failed miserably due to his poor choice of shot. Facing Glenn Phillips, the left-hander tried to pull a good-length ball pitched on middle and off.

Needless to say, the red leather skidded lower than expected. Pant, who went for the big shot without hesitation was beaten on the under-edge before the ball crashed into the stumps.

Sarfaraz Khan who scored 150 in the Bengaluru Test was expected to play according to the match situation after the fall of key players but he fell prey to impatience. The right-hander was eager to counter-attack by playing a high-risk shot early in his innings, which led to his dismissal.

The drama unfolded when Santner tossed the ball up outside the off-stump and Sarfaraz fell prey to the trap by attempting to play the shot over covers. As it turned out, he failed to read it completely before nudging the ball off the inside half of his bat towards the mid-off as William ORourke took a catch in his safe pair of hands.

Meanwhile, New Zealand are in firm control of the game as they finished the second day's play at 198/5 with a humongous lead of 301 runs. As things stand, they appear to be the clear favourites to win this game and the series.