Veteran New Zealand pacer Tim Southee wants to look past the snub from the playing XI for the New Year’s Test against Australia and is focusing on the upcoming assignment versus India at home.

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The Kiwis coped a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series Down Under. After featuring in the first two Tests in Perth and Melbourne, Southee was replaced by Matt Henry in the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground.

“I don’t think you can take it personally -- they make the decisions based on what they think is best for the team,” Southee was quoted as saying by www.stuff.co.nz.

“You’re going to agree to disagree and that’s just the nature of sport.

“It’s disappointing. You’re gutted every time you’re left out. It’s an absolute dream to play for New Zealand and every time you do miss out it hurts, but you’ve got to respect the decisions and try to help out and give back to the team, even when you’re not playing.”

India arrives in New Zealand for five T20Is, three ODIs and two World Test Championship fixtures, starting with the shortest format on January 24.

With a couple of days to go for the T20I series, Southee said it would be nice for the Black Caps to play a different format.

“We had a big chunk of Test cricket and the guys that were in Australia are reasonably experienced guys...they’ve had tough tours before and they’ve bounced back and the reason why they’ve played for a long period of time is they’ve been able to get through those ups and downs.

“It’s about making that adjustment. What’s gone is gone and it was very disappointing, the guys would have learnt from it, and now we’ve got to look forward to the Indian series.”

Southee played 12 T20Is last year and led his country in 9 of them in the absence of Kane Williamson. Now that the regular captain will take up his duties, Southee is ready to offer his support to Williamson.

“I enjoy thinking about the game and it makes you think outside of what you’re doing,” he said of his experience as captain.

“I also try to help Kane out as well -- it’s nice to have those senior guys (helping you) and Ross (Taylor) was good having captained the side in the past.

“It’s a different challenge when you captain and it’s something I enjoyed, but Kane’s doing a great job, so I’ll just try to help him out.”