Kane Williamson can surely feel the walls closing in on him.
After a career that has seen him accumulate Black Caps Test run-scoring records, the former skipper has — in rapid succession — watched the national side achieve perhaps their greatest series victory without him before close confidant Tim Southee signalled his imminent retirement.
For the first time in six years, Williamson, 34, is returning to domestic Plunket Shield competition, partly to continue his rehab from a niggly groin injury that kept him out of the stunning Indian sweep, but also — unthinkably — to earn his spot back in the team.
The chain of events has him questioning his own mortality.
"It's life, isn't it," said Williamson of Southee's decision. "You do realise you're closer to the end than the start, which is a certainty.
The former captain was injured out of the series victory. (Source: 1News)
"It's navigating those periods, because you feel slightly different when you play your first game than when you play your 100th, and there's different levels of excitement. Your life changes a little bit, whether it's family or extra dogs or whatever you're into.
"The picture does take a different shape and your motivation does adjust."
Williamson had battled back from a ruptured knee ligament last year and the latest injury, suffered during the second Test against Sri Lanka last month, was a reminder he must now nurse his body through whatever is left of his own tenure as a player.
After their heavy defeat by an innings and 154 runs at Galle, perhaps sensing his team needed more than he had left to give, Southee handed the captaincy to Tom Latham and, without Williamson, expectations against India were understandably low.
Amid fears that the roster that captured the inaugural World Test Championship three years ago was crumbling before our eyes, the Black Caps completely ambushed the Indians on their own spinning pitches, with Ajaz Patel, Mitch Santner and Glenn Phillips inexplicably mesmerising the home team into submission.
"I didn't see a ball," jibed Williamson. "Just joking.
"Incredible, wasn't it? I was glued to it, to be fair.
"After Sri Lanka, the outcomes naturally hurt a bit, but there were some really good bits that we wanted to build on, Clearly, that happened, and the guys played with a lot of courage and executed beautifully in those spin-friendly conditions in India, which is such a tough place to play."
The series gave cricket fans another glimpse of life without Williamson, while Will O'Rourke's continued development as an international seam bowler cushioned the departures of Southee and Trent Boult.
Williamson considered rejoining the team for the third Test at Mumbai, but with the series won, he opted to further his recovery, as home fixtures against England loomed large.
"There was a lot of internal temptations, for sure, but after a few internal discussions, it was about taking that time to get it right," he said. "That's what I did, but suffered a bit of FOMO [Fear Of Missing Out]... just admiring it really.
"I've toured there a number of times and never won a toss before, so the new skipper is on. To go over there and play the way they did was so special, and one of our all-time cricketing memories."
The result also leaves selectors with a dilemma over Williamson's future role, after replacement Will Young emerged as Player of the Series, scoring 244 runs at an average of 48.8 and facing more balls (460) than any other batter.
While you'd be brave to leave your greatest-ever exponent in the pavilion, if he's fit and available, even Williamson now faces competition for his spot in the order.
"Will was phenomenal," he said. "He showed real control in tough conditions, which was outstanding.
"There were just so many valuable contributions from players, which is what it's all about, and in those conditions, it's about 30s and 40s, and playing positive. There was a real commitment from everybody and that's the best part of it, and in some ways, the best part to watch.
"I've been there a number of years, and to watch guys grab it with both hands and commit to that greater goal as a team was actually really enjoyable to see."
Williamson is now back in Northern Districts colours, facing old foe Auckland in the domestic four-day format.
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