When Will Young arrived in India this time, he didn’t need reminding of where he was. The air of New Zealand thrashing India is still fresh in the minds of both teams.
In October–November 2024, New Zealand produced what is now widely regarded as the biggest upset of 21st-century Test cricket. A 3–0 whitewash of India in India. It ended India’s 12-year, 18-series unbeaten run at home, snapped a dominance that had defined an era, and delivered New Zealand their first Test series win on Indian soil since 1955. Before that opening victory in Bengaluru, New Zealand hadn’t even won a single Test in India for 36 years. And then they won three consecutive.
Young was the heartbeat of that series, earning Player of the Series in conditions that have broken better batters. Now, back on Indian soil for a three-match ODI series starting January 11, he wants that same belief to carry over. “Obviously, it’s a different format from the last time we were here, but the Black Caps have played some great one-day cricket at home against England and the West Indies,” Young said at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. “It’s a great opportunity to come over to India with a slightly different side. The dream is to win another series over here in India.“
New Zealand to avenge Champions Trophy loss?
Asked about avenging New Zealand’s Champions Trophy 2025 final loss to India, Young brushed it aside. “It’s a completely different challenge (than) that was the Champions Trophy, they were different sides so that’s behind us. It’s not even in our minds at all, we’re excited by a three-match bilateral series in one-day cricket and when the game starts.” The two teams met twice at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with India beating the Kiwis on both occasions, including the final on March 9. Rohit Sharma played a blazing innings after spinners weaved their magic in Dubai. But conditions would be different on much more batting-friendly India grounds.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 less than a month away, the ODIs risk getting overshadowed, but Young refuses to downplay the format’s importance.
“Especially with the T20 World Cup round the corner, it is easy to have the series lost in the greater context. (But) when you’re playing for your country, there should always be those two things (passion and motivation). It is a slightly different format from Test and T20 cricket, and these days you probably play a little bit less as well. But you’ve got to remember, there’s still two ICC world events — the Champions Trophy and the World Cup — which has had so much wonderful history over such a long time.“
New Zealand ODI squad vs India
Michael Bracewell (C), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young
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