Nathan McCullum claims the importance of spin bowling is being overstated heading into his last tournament for New Zealand, the world Twenty20.
McCullum will follow younger brother Brendon into international retirement after the campaign in India, which begins on Tuesday when New Zealand face the tournament hosts in Nagpur.
The 35-year-old offspinner, who has played 145 limited overs internationals, is set to play a pivotal role given the conditions which are likely to favour spin bowlers over the next three weeks.
They were emphasised in New Zealand's two warm-up games in Mumbai last week - a 74-run win over Sri Lanka and six-wicket loss to England - where spinners were their most successful and miserly bowlers.
Legspinner Ish Sodhi took 2-19 off three overs against Sri Lanka while McCullum (2-25) and left-armer Mitchell Santner (2-24) were impressive from their four overs each against England.
English spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali put the brakes on New Zealand's batting, emphasising the importance of adjusting to pitches that turn.
They can expect at least a two-pronged Indian spin attack spearheaded by Ravindra Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh at Vidarbha Stadium, but McCullum warns the Black Caps shouldn't be guilty of tunnel vision.
"You look across all the teams, there will probably be two or three spinners in most teams, so it (spin) will play a major part but it won't be the only factor," he said.
"All teams have got very powerful batting lineups and some good pace bowlers as well."
The spin threat to New Zealand ratcheted up a notch on Sunday when Bangladesh qualified for the Super 10 stage.
They will be the Black Caps' fourth and final pool opponents following games against India, Australia and Pakistan.
McCullum says they have prepared as well as possible, with the Mumbai games having followed a preparatory camp in Dubai.
"The conditions are going to vary throughout the tournament depending on where we go but it was really good to get here and get into the heat and get accustomed to the conditions again."
