William O’Rourkea tall six foot five inch pacer New Zealandgrabbed the headlines with his exceptional bowling performance on day 2 of the first Test against India. At the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, O’Rourke led the New Zealand attack and dismissed the struggling Indian batsmen for just 46 runs – the third-lowest total in India’s Test history.
Impressive record despite limited experience
O’Rourke was an outstanding player, taking four crucial wickets, including a scalp. Virat KohliYashasvi Jaiswaland KL Rahul. Despite being relatively new to the international cricket scene, he has shown consistent improvement. Since his First-Class debut in 2022, he has played five Test matches and has taken 23 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
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 look for a top-class fast bowler.
3 teams who could target Will O’Rourke in IPL 2025 auction
1. Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals (DC) have consistently shown a strong preference for fast bowlers who can bowl at high pace and O’Rourke could be a perfect addition to their line-up. With the upcoming auction, DC will look to strengthen their pace attack especially after witnessing O’Rourke’s recent performances against India. Pair her with likes Anrich NortjeAlready a key figure in the Delhi lineup, he can create a lethal fast-bowling combination that disrupts any batting order. Due to his height, O’Rourke’s ability to leap and move would make him an ideal bowler, especially on pitches that favor fast innings.
The conditions at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, known for its somewhat slow pitches, could work in O’Rourke’s favour. With his ability to change pace and create awkward bounce, he could become an important asset in DC’s bowling arsenal. Furthermore, the recent focus by the team management on nurturing young and promising players means that O’Rourke will not only get a chance to develop further but also form a formidable partnership with Nortje, making Delhi’s pace attack one of the strongest in the tournament.
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2. Kings of the Punjab
Punjab Kings (PBKS) they have traditionally relied on their fast bowlers to set the tone and the upcoming auction presents them with an opportunity to further strengthen their line-up. PBKS was very reliable last season Kagiso Rabada and Nathan Ellisboth were effective under different conditions. However, with fitness concerns and the need for depth, adding a tall, skilled pacer like O’Rourke would make a lot of sense for the franchise. His ability to swing the ball along with his height can offer a different dimension to Punjab’s bowling unit and ensure they have an all-round attack that can handle a variety of situations.
The friendly fast-bowling conditions at PBKS’ home ground, Mohali, are likely to play to O’Rourke’s strengths. Mohali’s pitch traditionally offers bounce and pace, elements that O’Rourke can use to full effect. The New Zealand bowler’s ability to use the new ball and make crucial breakthroughs would provide PBKS with cutting edge qualities that are sometimes lacking in the middle innings. In O’Rourke, Punjab could find a reliable pacer who would add depth and ensure that their bowling attack remains competitive throughout the tournament.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have had their share of struggles over the years with their bowling line-ups, often struggling to find balance to complement their explosive batting units. In IPL 2024, RCB fielded an impressive line-up of fast bowlers including. Loki Ferguson, Mohammad Sirajand Alzarri Joseph. However, fitness issues often hamper the consistency of their pace attack and heading into the 2025 auction, they may look to address this by adding a young, fit and reliable bowler like O’Rourke. His recent success in Bangalore during the Test series against India makes him a prime candidate to shine at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is not known to favor bowlers.
While the Chinnaswamy pitch is generally batsmen-friendly, O’Rourke’s performance in the red-ball format shows that he has what it takes to succeed even on difficult surfaces. His ability to create bounce and maintain tight lines can add a new dimension to RCB’s bowling unit. Moreover, having already bowled on this pitch, he would have a psychological advantage by understanding how to adapt the length and pace changes to the shorter format. The addition of O’Rourke could not only improve RCB’s bowling line-up but also bring a fresh and reliable option to the franchise’s quest for a maiden IPL title.
