Virat Kohli optimistic of Indian win against New Zealand

Playing "normal cricket" will be the key to India's success in the second Test against New Zealand if they have to chase a target of 250-plus, according to Virat Kohli who struck a 103 in the home team's first innings.

Kohli said that the match was in India's favour and the hosts would be looking to take the remaining one wicket to minimise the target with New Zealand ahead by 244 at stumps on the third day with the last pair at the crease.

"Well we'd like to think so. The morning session was really nice for them, but now that we look back after taking nine wickets, it played in our favour because there's still two more days to go," said Kohli at a Media conference after Sunday's play.

"And as a side setting a total, you always have that in mind - that if you lose wickets, the other side has two days to score the runs. So I think that was the thing that could have put pressure on them and tomorrow if we take an early wicket, we have a lot of time to chase down that score," said Kohli.

As for India's approach chasing a 250-plus target with close to two days in hand, Kohli said: "That's what I said time does to you. When you have a lot of time, you don't have to think about the target; you just play normal cricket.

"I don't think the wicket is doing so much that we have to be worried about the target that's been set. If we think to bat 3-4 sessions, we should be in a good position to win the match."

At a personal level, Kohli said he was pleased with his batting form and that it was always special to score a century for the country.

"It's always satisfying to get a Test hundred. People asked me this earlier as well, which 100 is most special to you and I said the 100 in Adelaide against Australia. I didn't have that feeling ever in my life, before or after - and I felt it today again.

"I think that is the most satisfying, when you're being tested and your patience is being tested, your technique is tested - and you manage to score a hundred it always pleases a batsman.

"And even the situation I went in to bat, it was really important for the team to come out of that. I'm fortunate that I could be that guy for the team. At the end of the day that was very satisfying. I could have gone on to make it a big one, but a Test hundred is always a satisfying feeling," he said.

On his dismissal when he padded up to Tim Southee to be adjudged leg-before, Kohli said: "That was the only ball in my innings in which I didn't look at the bowler's hand. All the balls I played before that I was looking at their hands. That ball he bowled with cross seam and I didn't look.

"That was a lapse in concentration and you just need one to get out in international cricket."