Not content with digging New Zealand out of a deep hole, captain Brendon McCullum has his sights on a double-century and an unlikely push for victory on the fourth day of the second Test against India.

The Black Caps will resume six runs in credit and with five wickets in hand at the Basin Reserve on Monday after an unbroken 158-run stand between McCullum (114no) and wicketkeeper BJ Watling (52).

They combined for New Zealand’s fifth-highest sixth-wicket partnership, giving them a foothold into the game – albeit tenuous – at 5-252 after heavy defeat had loomed.

With just debut allrounder James Neesham to come before India can attack the tail, McCullum is aware how crucial it is for the two former openers to extend their rearguard well beyond its current 61.4 overs.

“To be honest we would probably need a double century to keep us in this game,” said McCullum, whose 224 set up the first Test win at Auckland.

“It was hard work out there but if BJ and I can emulate what we did today tomorrow, then it will be great to be able to make some decisions about where the game will go rather than trying to fight out of it.”

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara says his side remain confident of forcing victory on day four but admits he would feel more comfortable if they had snared a couple of extra wickets after reducing the Black Caps to 5-94.

“Brendon batted well and that partnership was very crucial for them. We tried our best but they were the winners in that last session,” he said.

“We don’t want to chase a big target, obviously the less the better, but you cannot keep any targets in mind while bowling. We want to get them out as early as possible.”