Sunil Gavaskar says every Indian fan wants Virat Kohli to reach 100 international centuries, and teammates should help him get there when the chance comes.
Kohli has 86 international hundreds. He is 14 short of Sachin Tendulkar's record of 100 and now plays only ODI cricket.
In the first ODI at Eden Park on 4 November, he made 74 off 51 balls. India won by five wickets.
New Zealand were bowled out for 185, and the target was cut after a stoppage, leaving Kohli less room for a hundred.
Writing in his Mid-Day column, Gavaskar said Kohli's dismissal spared Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer an awkward call on pacing the chase.
"It's also good for the team if one of its members, especially a star player, gets to a personal milestone," he wrote.
Kohli made two hundreds in the recent South Africa series, 135 in Ranchi and 102 in Raipur.
India lead the five-match series 2-0 after winning in Wellington, where Kohli was out for seven.
His next chance is the third ODI in Hamilton on Tuesday, 10 November, where India can seal the series.
Read Gavaskar's full take on the Kohli chase on Trends News Stories.