India skipper Ajinkya Rahane defended his timing of declaration on Day 4 after New Zealand eked out a thrilling draw on the final day of the Kanpur Test.

Team India declared their second innings at 234/7, having stretched the overall lead to 283 on the penultimate day of the first Test.

In the four overs that were possible before bad light forced early stumps on Day 4, R Ashwin dismissed Will Young to leave the Kiwis at 4/1.

On Day 5, New Zealand tail-enders Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra displayed remarkable resilience under fading light on a deteriorating track to deny the hosts a certain victory and 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.

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"[on the timing of the declaration] Not really, we tried our best. They played really well. I think the way we came back in the second session was good. The fast bowlers too bowled really well. We wanted to get that partnership going, put some runs on board. Saha and Axar batted really well. Before that Shreyas and Ashwin's partnership was crucial. We wanted to bowl four overs yesterday and 90-95 in all. I don't think we could have done anything differently," Rahane said in the post-match presentation ceremony after the home team ended the Test one wicket away from victory.

"The chat with the umpires was about the light. As a fielding team, you want to bowl more overs, as a batting unit you don't want to bat in that situation. The chat was about the light, but umpires made the call and I thought they were right," the stand-in India captain further said.

Rahane also shared his thoughts on the Green Park track and Shreyas Iyer’s (105 and 65) outstanding performance on Test debut.

"I thought on this wicket the spinners had to bowl long spells. It was all about rotating the bowlers and they bowled really well. I am really happy for Shreyas. He had to wait a long time for his Test debut. He batted really well. The way works, his record in FC cricket is really good," he said.

"Virat is coming back for the next game. We'll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call," Rahane pointed.

The second Test match will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from December 3.

(With ANI inputs)