IND vs NZ: Unlucky dismissals for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli threaten to derail Team India's comeback

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Day 3 of the IND vs NZ Test between India and New Zealand witnessed two freak dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, leaving Indian fans heartbroken. The two moments have threatened to derail the Men in Blue's comeback plans in the first Test match, leaving them trailing by 125 runs.

Captain Rohit Sharma had been leading the charge in India's second innings. After a tough start, he steadied the ship with a comfortable half-century, scoring 52 runs from 63 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a six.

However, in a bizarre turn of events, Rohit was dismissed by Ajaz Patel in the most unfortunate manner. Defending a straightforward delivery, the ball hit the pitch and bounced back to disturb his stumps. The crowd, much like Rohit himself, was left stunned as the New Zealand players celebrated an unlikely breakthrough.

It wasn't just the manner of his dismissal that stung; it was the timing. Sharma had been at ease against the Kiwi attack, and his dismissal punctured India's momentum at a critical juncture in the game.

India had been attempting to recover from a first-innings collapse that saw them bowled out for just 46, their lowest-ever Test score at home. Rohit's knock had been pivotal in helping India claw back into the contest, but his departure left a void.

As if one freak wicket wasn't enough, Team India was dealt another cruel blow when Virat Kohli was sent back to the dugout after a soft dismissal on the last ball of the day.

Kohli, who had looked in fine touch throughout his innings, was dismissed for 70 after feathering a delivery from Glenn Phillips to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Having just changed his gloves moments earlier, Kohli edged a wide, flatter delivery, bringing an abrupt end to a 136-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan.

Kohli looked visibly gutted as the decision was confirmed by the TV umpire, encapsulating India's frustrations throughout the match.

At the end of Day 3 of the IND vs NZ Test, Team India stood at a score of 231/3. Sarfaraz Khan remains unbeaten on 70, and it will fall on him and KL Rahul to mount a strong partnership for India to get an unlikely result from the match that looked done and dusted for a long time.