Sania Mirza's injury lay-off continued to hurt India badly, as they suffered their second successive defeat, going down 1-2 to New Zealand in the Asia/Oceania Group I Federation Cup match in Bangkok, on Thursday.
Isha Lakhani was the lone member of the team to register a victory. She rallied to beat Sacha Jones 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-4 in the first rubber.
However, Wednesday's lone winner in the tie against Indonesia, Sunitha Rao, was handed a 0-6, 6-7(7) thrashing by Marina Erakovic as the Kiwis drew level.
The Indians cut a sorry figure in the deciding doubles match and Leanne Baker and Erakovic dumped Lakhani and Shikha Uberoi 6-2, 6-2 to seal it for their team.
After back-to-back defeats, India face a tough task as they take on top seeds Australia in their third and final tie on Friday.
Sania is likely to miss tomorrow's match also as she continues to nurse a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Australia suffered a stunning 1-2 defeat at the hands of Indonesia today.
In the other group I matches, Uzbekistan beat Thailand 2-1, while Taiwan defeated Hong Kong 2-1.
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