India's captain Virat Kohli could be in hot water after losing his cool with a section of the Hagley Oval crowd amid his side's rollercoaster second day of the second cricket Test in Christchurch.

A noticeably fired-up Kohli celebrated the fall of some New Zealand wickets with gusto, particularly when New Zealand opener Tom Latham was bowled by Mohammed Shami for 52 without offering a shot.

As Latham began his long trudge to the pavilion, Kohli turned away from the action to eyeball some Christchurch fans.

He pressed his index finger to his lips then could be clearly seen on replay shouting: "Shut the f... up," in the direction of the crowd.

Kohli's outburst could potentially raise the ire of match referee Ranjan Madugalle of Sri Lanka.

A year ago in an ODI against Bangladesh at Hagley Oval, Black Caps bowler Trent Boult was fined 15 percent of his match fee for a breach of article 2.3 of the ICC's code of conduct which deals with "use of an audible obscenity during an international match".

When Kohli's opposite number Kane Williamson was dismissed on Sunday, India's skipper charged past him towards bowler Jasprit Bumrah roaring in an over-the-top celebration.

On day one Kohli was pictured appearing to mock fans who were drinking.

India's Virat Kohli gestures to the crowd during play on day one of the second cricket test.

In January 2012 Kohli similarly lost his temper, presenting the SCG crowd with his middle finger as he walked off the field.

The 31-year-old was also spotted mocking the crowd on Sunday, imitating a drunk person.

Kohli was given the ICC's spirit of cricket award in January for his actions at last year's Cricket World Cup when he gestured to fans to stop booing Australian batsman Steve Smith and urged them to clap instead.

It's been a torrid tour of New Zealand for the world's top-ranked Test and ODI batsman. He scored 2, 19, 3 and 14 in the two Tests against the Black Caps, and in 11 innings across the formats scored 218 runs at an average of 19.8 with just one half-century.