Wellington Test was back in balance when India dismissed BJ Watling and Tim Southee early in the morning on Day 3 before India took the new ball. 

However, that's when skipper Virat Kohli's defensive tactics hurt India badly as the New Zealand tail wagged big time, reckons former batsman VVS Laxman, who was a pain to see the visitors allowing the game to drift. 

New Zealand's last three wickets added 132 runs to take the team's first-innings lead to 183, helping skipper Kane Williamson to keep attacking fields throughout the second essay where Trent Boult, Tim Southee & co put relentless pressure on Indian batsmen from either end. 

Read Also: New Zealand dominate Day 3 to put India on cusp of defeat at Basin Reserve 

"After getting Tim Southee’s wicket, India let off New Zealand, at one stage it seemed they would not get even 100 runs lead but the partnership between Jamieson and Colin de Grandhomme got them to 183 runs lead,"  Laxman told Star Sports.

"India will be ruing the fact - they were very defensive, tactics used by Virat Kohli were not right, especially when the second new ball was in operation."

The visitors finished at 144/4 until stumps, still another 46 runs behind the hosts and a long way off from coming out of this Test without suffering a defeat. 

"I feel that the field settings by Virat Kohli were not right for the situation, especially with the new ball. Because when you are playing in overseas conditions, new ball has a massive impact," Laxman added. 

"In four overs he brought on Ravichandran Ashwin, I mean you have 3 quality fast bowlers you expect them to bowl at the tail. Virat Kohli missed a trick and this can cost India the Test match."

(Inputs from Hindustan Times)