The opening session on the fifth and final day of the second Test will be crucial to New Zealand's [ Images ] fortunes, according to Kiwi opener Tim McIntosh.

"We have to give ourselves a chance to set up a good target. But in trying to do that, I hope we don't lose too many wickets.

"I hope we get there but we need to play with a positive intent," McIntosh said after his team gained a lead of 115 runs by close on the penultimate day of the Test at the Rajiv Gandhi [ Images ] International Stadium, in Hyderabad on Monday.

"The wicket is pretty good, there is not enough turn but there is bounce," the opener, who was involved in an important 125-run partnership for the first wicket with centurion Brendon McCullum [ Images ], added.

Asked about his understanding with his dashing opening partner McIntosh, who himself crafted a patient century in his team's first innings, said "we stay positive… back and complement each other very well and that is a key factor. If this partnership flourish it will be good for us."

The gritty opener followed his century in the first innings with a 49 in the second essay.

The batsman was twice dismissed by Zaheer Khan [ Images ] in the first Test at Motera, where he recorded a pair, but McIntosh's knocks in the ongoing Test are indications that the batsman has addressed his problems against the canny India [ Images ] spearhead.

"I have worked very hard in the nets to nullify Zaheer's wicket-taking deliveries," McIntosh said.

Zaheer was absent from the field for 136 minutes -- he sat out the entire session between lunch and tea due to abdominal strain, and asked about that, McIntosh admitted that the seamer's absence did help New Zealand.