India draw with New Zealand in second Test

The second Test between India and New Zealand at Hyderabad has ended in a draw at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

New Zealand, boosted by opener Brendon McCullum's superb double hundred, declared on 448 for eight at tea on the final day to set India a target of 327.

However, with just one session of play remaining, both sides agreed on the stalemate 17 overs into the chase, Indian openers Virender Sehwag (54 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (14 not out) getting their side to 68 without loss.

Resuming the day on 237 for four, overnight batsmen McCullum (225) and Kane Williamson (69) stretched the fifth-wicket partnership for New Zealand to 124 before the latter departed just after lunch.

McCullum - whose innings included a total of 22 boundaries and four sixes - continued the fireworks to reach his double ton.

India, though, were given some hope as three more wickets fell in the afternoon, including that of McCullum to leave the Kiwis at 448 for eight, with Gareth Hopkins (11 not out) and Brent Arnel (one not out) at the crease.

McCullum had scored an unbeaten match-saving century on day four, helped along by a 125-run opening stand with Tim McIntosh (49), but India fought back in the final session with three wickets to set up an enthralling fifth day.

McCullum and Williamson did well to get through the opening period unscathed, with the latter reaching his half century in quick time.

McCullum soon found his attacking sense, his reverse sweeps down to third man off spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha, while a drive through the covers brought up the 200-run lead and the 100 stand a few overs before lunch.

India hit back soon enough, as Harbhajan trapped Williamson leg before in the third over after the restart, but McCullum was not deterred and he reached his first Test double century in T20 style, scooping Suresh Raina's delivery over the keeper to the boundary.

Skipper Daniel Vettori was not far behind, smashing three boundaries and a six to reach 23, but his scoring spree was halted when Rahul Dravid took a brilliant catch inches off the ground at short cover off Raina's bowling.

McCullum smashed Shantha Sreesanth for two consecutive boundaries but his mammoth innings came to an end, caught by Raina when attempting to launch the next delivery for six, and he was quickly followed by Tim Southee, clean bowled by Sreesanth for 11.