Fast forward to tomorrow night, when Kane Williamson will lead a very different team on to the hallowed Lord's turf, to play hosts England in the final.
This time, the Black Caps barely made it into the playoffs, securing their final semifinal spot via a mathematical tiebreaker, after suffering three successive losses.
Much like his predecessor, Williamson has carried the bulk of the Black Caps run-scoring - but in a much more calculated and sedate manner than McCullum.
The team, too, have had to adapt. With new coach Gary Stead at the helm and arguably slightly less talent on paper, Williamson has had to rely on superior tactics, the bowling brilliance of several individuals, and good old fashioned scrapping - played to perfection in the dramatic semifinal win over a heavily favoured India, since dubbed the Miracle in Manchester.
Williamson's contrasting captaincy, meanwhile, was best evidenced when he barely broke a smile as the final Indian wicket fell. Don't get carried away, there is still work to do.
This is a different team, a different coach, a different captain.
And, just maybe, a different result.