Gambhir ton frustrates New Zealand

A gritty unbeaten 102 from Gautam Gambhir and a stylish 58 not out from Sachin Tendulkar ensured India reached the fifth and final day of the second Test against New Zealand.

Having been made to follow on after being bowled out for just 305 in their first innings in reply to the Black Caps' 619 for nine declared, Gambhir and Tendulkar steered the visitors to 252 for two by the close on day four to leave the visitors trailing by 62 runs.

Unless something dramatic happens on the final day at McLean Park in Napier, the second Test appears to be heading for a draw, meaning the series, which India lead 1-0, remains alive heading into the final match in Wellington which starts on Friday.

It was a long hot day in the field for the Black Caps and the bowlers toiled hard for little reward with Daniel Vettori, Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien (none for 50 off 21, six maidens) and Chris Martin (none for 47 off 18, five maidens) doing the bulk of the work.

Gambhir and Rahul Dravid batted steadily through the morning adding 72 runs, but the session was not without its dramas with Dravid surviving a run-out chance in just the second over of the day when James Franklin missed the stumps with the batsman out of his ground.

Gambhir, who began the day on 14, survived a couple of lbw appeals and a big shout for a catch when a Jeetan Patel delivery hit his pad and flew to Jesse Ryder at short leg. He went on to bring up his 11th Test 50 with his eighth boundary of the innings a short time later.

Dravid reached his 56th Test half-century with a nice off drive that earned him two runs off Daniel Vettori a couple of overs before drinks in the afternoon.

The partnership was eventually broken when a Vettori delivery flicked off Dravid's pad and Jamie How took a diving catch at short leg.

Vettori finished the day with figures of none for 48 off 24 overs, including seven maidens while fellow spinner Patel bowled some good tight spells to end day four with one for 73 off 28 overs and six maidens.