Will Young Reflects on New Zealand's Historic 3-0 Series Win Over India

Replacing a player of Kane Williamson's caliber can be a daunting task, but Will Young embraced the opportunity to make his mark during New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory against India. Young, who played a crucial role in the series, had spent the previous four years as a reserve batter, often "running the drinks," but was ready to step up when called upon.

With Williamson sidelined for the first Test in Bengaluru due to injury, concerns about New Zealand's batting depth were quickly dispelled by Young's solid performance, including an unbeaten 48 in the opening match as the Kiwis triumphed by eight wickets.

"Since my debut about four years ago, I've been in and out through form or selection," Young explained after New Zealand's series win. "I've been a reserve batter for a number of years now, so I've come to know the feeling of running the drinks really well." He emphasized that when given the chance to play, he aimed to showcase his skills and play his own game rather than try to fill Williamson's shoes.

Acknowledging Williamson's influence during training camps and previous tours, Young stated, "Unfortunately, Kane's not here, and if he was, he'd be a great person to lean into and to ask what he thinks in certain situations." Despite this, Young felt confident in the strength of New Zealand's batting lineup, highlighting the variety of batting styles within the team. "We’ve got fantastic batters all throughout our line-up, and they’ve all got slightly different methods," he noted. "On the day, you’ve just got to pick what method you think will work."

Young's performance was particularly significant given the challenges of batting in Indian conditions, where spinners often dominate. Reflecting on the series, he mentioned the distinct difficulties posed by the pitches in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, noting, "As a New Zealander coming over here and playing in Indian conditions, it's always going to be slightly more satisfying scoring runs against spin." He expressed pride in his ability to contribute runs on turning tracks, especially in Pune and Mumbai, which felt particularly special to him.

Throughout the series, Young emerged as a key player, finishing as the third highest run-scorer with 244 runs at an average of 48.80, trailing only India’s Rishabh Pant and his compatriot Rachin Ravindra. His most notable contributions came in the third Test in Mumbai, where he scored 71 and 51 in two innings, playing a pivotal role in New Zealand becoming the first team ever to whitewash India 3-0 on their home soil.

As New Zealand celebrates this historic achievement, Young's journey from a reserve batter to a crucial member of the squad showcases his resilience and readiness to seize opportunities in the competitive world of international cricket.