New Zealand's Luke Ronchi smashed 88 against England on debut in May 2015 but hasn't played another test since.

He may not be a one-test wonder for much longer, Luke Ronchi, as the Black Caps seek creative ways to combat India's spin threat in the three-test cricket series.

New Zealand's 15-man squad flew out for the subcontinent on Sunday facing a daunting task of improving a sorry test record in India: played 31, won two, the most recent victory 28 years ago.

Coach Mike Hesson revealed Ronchi, Mitchell Santner and Henry Nicholls were all considered backup openers with Jeet Raval not required for this tour, and Ronchi's reputation as one of the best players of spin in the country would put the 35-year-old gloveman right in the frame as a specialist batsman.

GETTY IMAGES Coach Mike Hesson is imploring opener Martin Guptill to play his natural game in India. "That message has been out there a long time".

"It's not your traditional New Zealand opener that you require over there; you need guys who can score against spin, find ways to rotate the strike and keep the game moving," Hesson said.

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"It does [bring Ronchi into the mix]. Luke's there as a backup batsman as well as a backup keeper. His ability against spin certainly makes him an option."

GETTY IMAGES Offspinner Mark Craig is likely to rejoin the New Zealand 11 after sitting out the Africa tests.

Ronchi's been a regular Black Caps tourist but with BJ Watling entrenched as the No 1 gloveman he's done plenty of net batting and drink carrying. His only test appearance remains the Leeds victory against England in May last year when Ronchi's counter-attacking 88 off 70 balls on day one was crucial to New Zealand levelling the series.

Hesson said regular opening pair Martin Guptill and Tom Latham were likely for the first test in Kanpur on September 22 but he was keeping his options open. India will attack New Zealand with three spinners - offspinner Ravi Ashwin, left-armer Ravi Jadeja and legspinner Amit Mishra - and Hesson expects Ashwin will take the new ball which also brings Ronchi into the mix as a right-hander with the ball turning in.

"Seamers if anything might bowl 2-3 overs up front and it's more likely they're going to have spin at one end to start with if they're going to play three of them.

"And if you've got two left-handers against Ashwin at the top it's going to be a big challenge for us. We have to assess conditions and pick what we think is the right mix."

Guptill will be under the microscope after his struggles against quality pace from Australia and South Africa in the past year. In four tests in India he averages 23 and isn't known for his prowess against spin, but he'll be encouraged once again to play his natural game which brought him success in limited overs cricket.

"That message has been out there a long time. It's important for Martin that we can see that out on the field and he can transfer what he's been training onto the park. I know he's working hard at it," Hesson said.

Then there's the bowling mix. Hesson said three New Zealand spinners was "definitely an option" if the Kanpur pitch looks dry and likely to crumble, which could mean Watling batting at six and just two frontline pacemen with Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell contesting those spots.

The Black Caps spin trio have mixed test records: Mark Craig (14 tests, 48 wickets at 46), Ish Sodhi (13 tests, 35 wickets at 46) and Mitchell Santner (seven tests, 15 wickets at 29) but the latter two were excellent on turning Indian pitches at this year's World Twenty20.

"They're a young spin bowling group. Probably Ish and Mitch have found white ball cricket a little easier than test cricket. They're both evolving nicely and it's about giving them opportunity," Hesson said.

"I've been really pleased with the way Mark Craig has come back from last season. He's made a few changes technically and the ball seems to be coming out really nicely."

Coming off a mauling by South Africa's pacemen at Centurion, the Black Caps have just one three-day warmup game starting in Delhi on Friday. Adjusting to the SG ball used in India will be the main challenge for spinners and quicks, just another obstacle for a team who are notoriously slow starters with a bowling attack likely to be targeted by India's batsmen.

"It's a tough tour, we all acknowledge that. More so because the conditions are so foreign. This is trial by spin and also reverse swing so it's a distinctly different challenge."

AT A GLANCE

New Zealand test squad to India: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Mark Craig, Ish Sodhi, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.

Itinerary:

Friday-Sunday: warmup match v Mumbai at Delhi

September 22-26: 1st test at Kanpur (4pm NZT)

Sept 30-October 4: 2nd test at Kolkata

Oct 8-12: 3rd test at Indore

Oct 16: 1st ODI at Dharmasala

Oct 20: 2nd ODI at Delhi

Oct 23: 3rd ODI at Mohali

Oct 26: 4th ODI at Ranchi

Oct 29: 5th ODI at Visakhapatnam