New Zealand have resisted the urge to select four pace bowlers and will take an unchanged team into the first Test against India starting in Auckland on Thursday.

Captain Brendon McCullum confirmed the starting 11 who played the last two Tests against the West Indies – both won comfortably at Wellington and Hamilton in December – will play at Eden Park.

He said 12th man Doug Bracewell was a selection option ahead of legspinner Ish Sodhi, handing batsman Kane Williamson the sole spinning duties.

However, despite the grassy nature of the pitch, such a change would have carried risks.

“We still feel you’ve got to pick a team for five days rather than just the first day,” McCullum said.

“It’s a tough ask to name your No.3 batter to go in as your No.1 spinner.

“And we want to reward the team who were successful against the West Indies. It’s nice to have the luxury of being able to continue with the same team.”

The pace trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner were potent in patches against the West Indies.

McCullum is banking on them to be a key point of difference in the two-Test series courtesy of a proven ability to swing the ball in home conditions and be hostile against tailenders.

“The way the seamers have operated is one of the most pleasing aspects of the summer. We have to make sure we get them some runs to work with again,” he said.

“If we get into the Indian middle order, we have to make sure we put our foot on the throat.”

India-born Sodhi’s inclusion remains as much about development, with McCullum wary the classy Indian batting lineup will seek to target him.

The 21-year-old will be encouraged to bowl with his natural attacking methods.

“You’ve got to be patient with legspinners. They’re not always going to have the same control that the finger spinners have but we think he’s got a little x-factor as well,” McCullum said.

“I’m sure after these two Test matches he will have learned a lot and hopefully he comes through them well too.”

McCullum was unsure if India will name both of their specialist spinners or just one of Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

He says New Zealand are prepared for either scenario.

“While they won’t play a big role in terms of the ball spinning and bouncing, they’ll still play a very effective role just nagging away and asking us a few different questions.

“We’re very respectful of their lineup. They’re proven players.”