NEW DELHI: New Zealand opener Will Young is not deterred by his side’s loss to India in the group stage and is intent on taking advantage of Rohit Sharma‘s team’s shortcomings in Sunday’s Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
Along with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, Young has helped the Black Caps get off to a strong start in the Champions Trophy, and he will be a vital batsman in the crucial final.
“There is plenty we can take from that (group match defeat to India) in a scouting point of view, especially in my eyes as a batter, but I am sure the bowlers got a good look at their (India) batters as well and how they are likely to approach things,” Young told ICC about the 44-run defeat to India on March 2 at the same venue.
“It was a great opportunity to see the style of cricket they will bring, especially at that venue and in those conditions,” he added.
With Rachin Ravindra in scorching form and scoring hundreds against South Africa in the semi-final and Bangladesh in the group stage, New Zealand has demonstrated their strength.
The 32-year-old right-hand batter went on to say that India and New Zealand have played a number of captivating matches throughout the years, and the team with the best cricket on that day will have a higher chance of winning.
“There’s been some great battles over India in recent history including the World Test Championship and the 2023 World Cup semi-final. We’ve had some great games against India. But to be honest, it is who will show up on the day, you can’t be too stuck in the past.
“We’ll look to be able to adjust and adapt to whatever challenges are in front of us on Sunday and hope the game we’ve got and the nerve that we hold will be enough,” he added.
According to the opener, his team was prepared to emulate their heroes’ performance in the 2000 Champions Trophy final, where they defeated India by four wickets in Nairobi.
Young, who was only eight years old when New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and India to win their first major ICC tournament at this very event 25 years ago, claimed that his team will feel more confident heading into the final because to the enchantment of that incredible run.
“There were some iconic names in that squad and those are the ones plenty of guys in this squad looked up to back in the day.
“It is cool to be trying to achieve the same thing 25 years later. I was eight years old at the time and just starting to fall in love with the game. I am well aware of New Zealand’s exploits in that tournament and it was fantastic to see them win.
“I’m thinking back to before we boarded the plane to come over here, we had an unveiling of the Champions Trophy squad. Scott Styris was there that day and told a few stories about the team and their exploits in that tournament.
“It was cool to recognise the past and that New Zealand has done this before. It is just about passing the baton and hopefully we can emulate them in a couple of days,” he added.
