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William O’Rourke, the towering six-foot five-inch pacer from New Zealand, made headlines with his exceptional bowling performance on Day 2 of the first Test against India. At the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, O’Rourke led New Zealand’s attack and dismantled the Indian batting lineup, which was bowled out for just 46 runs — the third-lowest total in India’s Test history.
Impressive track record despite limited experience
O’Rourke was the standout bowler, claiming four crucial wickets, including prized scalps of Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul. Despite being relatively new to the international cricket scene, he has shown consistent improvement. Since making his First-Class debut in 2022, he has played five Test matches and picked up 23 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
A hot commodity in the upcoming auction
In T20 cricket, O’Rourke has been equally impressive with 28 wickets in 27 matches. Given his skills and recent success, he is likely to be a hot commodity in the IPL 2025 auctions, as many teams are on the lookout for a premier fast bowler.
3 teams who can target Will O’Rourke in the IPL 2025 auction
1. Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals (DC) have shown a strong preference for fast bowlers who can consistently bowl at high speeds, and O’Rourke could be a perfect addition to their squad. With the upcoming auction, DC will be looking to strengthen their pace attack, especially after witnessing O’Rourke’s recent performances against India. Pairing him with the likes of Anrich Nortje, who is already a key figure in the Delhi lineup, could create a lethal fast-bowling combination that troubles any batting order. O’Rourke’s ability to extract bounce and movement due to his height can make him an ideal bowler, especially on pitches that offer some assistance to quicks.
The conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, known for its slightly slower pitches, might work to O’Rourke’s advantage. With his ability to vary his pace and generate awkward bounce, he could become a crucial asset in DC’s bowling arsenal. Additionally, the team management’s recent emphasis on grooming young and promising players means O’Rourke would not only get a chance to develop further but also form a formidable partnership with Nortje, making Delhi’s pace attack one of the most potent in the tournament.
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2. Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings (PBKS) have traditionally relied on their fast bowlers to set the tone, and the upcoming auction presents them with an opportunity to further bolster their lineup. Last season, PBKS relied heavily on Kagiso Rabada and Nathan Ellis, both of whom were effective in different conditions. However, with fitness concerns and the need for depth, adding a tall, skillful pacer like O’Rourke would make a lot of sense for the franchise. His ability to swing the ball, coupled with his height, could offer a different dimension to Punjab’s bowling unit, ensuring that they have a well-rounded attack that can handle various situations.
The fast-bowling friendly conditions at Mohali, PBKS’s home ground, are likely to play to O’Rourke’s strengths. Mohali’s pitch traditionally offers bounce and pace, elements that O’Rourke could exploit to full effect. The New Zealand bowler’s ability to use the new ball and deliver crucial breakthroughs would provide PBKS with the cutting edge they have sometimes lacked in the middle overs. In O’Rourke, Punjab could find a reliable pacer who adds depth and ensures their bowling attack remains competitive throughout the tournament.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have had their share of struggles with their bowling lineup over the years, often struggling to find a balance that complements their explosive batting unit. In the IPL 2024, RCB fielded an impressive lineup of fast bowlers, including Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, and Alzarri Joseph. However, fitness issues have often hampered the consistency of their pace attack, and heading into the 2025 auction, they might look to address this by adding a young, fit, and dependable bowler like O’Rourke. His recent success in Bengaluru during the Test series against India makes him a prime candidate to shine at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a ground not known for favoring bowlers.
While the Chinnaswamy pitch is generally favorable to batsmen, O’Rourke’s performance there in the red-ball format indicates he has what it takes to succeed even on challenging surfaces. His ability to generate bounce and maintain tight lines can add a new dimension to RCB’s bowling unit. Moreover, having already bowled on this ground, he would have a psychological advantage, understanding how to adapt his length and pace variations to the shorter format. Adding O’Rourke could not only improve RCB’s bowling lineup but also bring a fresh and reliable option to the franchise’s efforts to claim their maiden IPL title.
