BANGALORE, India (AFP) — Virat Kohli cracked an impressive 93 not out to lead an Indian recovery on the second day of the second and final Test against New Zealand in Bangalore yesterday.

The 23-year-old hit one six and 12 fours in his second successive Test half-century as the hosts, struggling at 80-4 at one stage, reached 283-5 in their first innings at stumps in reply to New Zealand's 365.

Kohli, who made 58 in the last Test, added 99 for the fifth wicket with Suresh Raina (55) and 104 for the unfinished sixth-wicket stand with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (46 not out) to keep alive his team's hopes of gaining the lead.

India trail by 82 runs with five wickets in hand.

Dhoni, who scored 73 in the opening Test, hit off-spinner Jeetan Patel for two successive sixes in his 70-ball knock which also contained five fours.

India, who won the opening Test by an innings and 115 runs, lost experienced Virender Sehwag (43), Gautam Gambhir (two) and Sachin Tendulkar (17) before Kohli, Raina and Dhoni propped up the innings.