Second Test, Napier (day four, close):
New Zealand 619-9 dec v India 305 & 252-2
Match scorecard

Gautam Gambhir (left) celebrates his century as India recover

India put in a strong performance on day four of the second Test against New Zealand to virtually ensure they will avoid defeat in Napier.

Gautam Gambhir made a century in partnerships with Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar as India followed on.

Gambhir was unbeaten on 102, Tendulkar 58 not out, as India moved to within 62 runs of the Kiwis by the close of play.

Dravid scored 62, his 56th Test fifty, and has now scored half-centuries in each innings of a Test on 10 occasions.

Unless something dramatic happens on the final day, 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.

We're the only side that can win New Zealand coach Andy Moles

Having been forced to follow on 314 run in arrears, India believed they had at least saved the game after a dogged day in which they only scored 205 runs, but lost just one wicket, that of Dravid.

"We've shown that we can fight back," Dravid said. "We've not been put in this position a lot over the last year.

"We found ourselves with our backs to the wall on day four and we needed some character, we needed to fight and we showed that."

However, New Zealand coach Andy Moles remained confident his side could still pull off a victory on the final day.

"It's an exceptional batting wicket," he said. "You're looking for mistakes from the batters as opposed to the ball misbehaving on the last day as you'd normally like to see.

"We've still got a chance to win. We're playing an exceptional Indian team and we're the only side that can win."

Gambhir and Dravid batted steadily through the morning adding 72 runs.

By lunch Gambhir was on 60 and Dravid, who resumed on 11, had inched his way to 34.

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.

Gambhir and Tendulkar then survived the remaining 7.4 overs to tea to leave India trailing by 134 runs at 180 for two.

Tendulkar stepped up the pace in the final session, racing to his 52nd Test half-century in just 89 balls, hitting seven fours and a six along the way.

New Zealand's wicket-taker Vettori finished the day with figures of 1 for 48 off 24 overs, including seven maidens.

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