IN PHOTOS: India vs New Zealand, Auckland Test (Day 2)

Rohit Sharma was battling to save India's first innings as the tourists finished the second day in the first Test against New Zealand on 130 for 4, after Brendon McCullum's double century guided the hosts to a mammoth first innings total of 503 in Auckland, on Friday.

-Scorecard

The Mumbai batsman, who scored two centuries in his four previous Test appearances, hit eight boundaries and a six as he improved his batting average to 80.

Rohit was 67 not out when the players were forced from the field due to poor light at Eden Park, with Ajinkya Rahane on 23, after New Zealand's pace bowlers ripped the top off their innings by reducing them to 10-3 in the sixth over.

India will resume on Saturday needing a further 174 runs to avoid the follow-on.

The second match of the two-Test series is in Wellington, and starts on February 14.

Neil Wagner bowled Murali Vijay for 26 shortly after the tea break before Rohit and Rahane consolidated the innings with a 79-run partnership that was adjourned with 17 scheduled overs of play remaining on Friday.

New Zealand's innings was anchored by Brendon McCullum's second Test double century.

The captain shared in productive partnerships with Kane Williamson, who scored 113, Corey Anderson (77) and Ish Sodhi (23).

McCullum's dismissal ended New Zealand's innings. He fell just one run short of his highest Test score of 225, also against India in 2010.

His innings was the highest by a New Zealander at Eden Park and fourth highest overall.

England's Wally Hammond holds the record of 336 not out in 1933.

India pacer Ishant Sharma, who was under pressure after a poor showing in the One-day series earlier, was the pick of the visitors' bowlers with figures of 6 for 134.