New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the home series against India due to hamstring and calf injuries, with a potential return targeted for the Test series against Australia in December.

Will O’Rourke Ruled Out of India Series, Targets Australia Return

New Zealand Paceman Targets Australia Return After Injuries

By News Desk On Oct 10, 2026

ISLAMABAD: (Sports Desk) – New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the upcoming home series against India as he continues his recovery from hamstring and calf injuries, New Zealand Cricket announced on Saturday.

The 25-year-old will miss the ODI and Test matches against India as a precautionary measure, with the team management opting to give him additional time to recover and regain full fitness.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over O’Rourke’s absence from the high-profile home series but stressed that the decision was taken in the player’s best interests. The coaching staff hopes the right-arm fast bowler will be available for the four-Test series against Australia, scheduled to begin in early December.

Walter said the team had agreed that O’Rourke needed more time to rehabilitate both injuries and gradually increase his bowling workload. He added that New Zealand would adopt a cautious approach to his recovery, given the importance of their pace-bowling resources over the coming months.

O’Rourke has established himself as an important member of New Zealand’s Test attack since making his debut in 2024. In 14 Tests, he has claimed 49 wickets at an average of just under 25.

The young pacer delivered impressive performances during New Zealand’s 2-1 Test series victory in England in June, taking 10 wickets. However, he has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury during the final Test of that tour.

He subsequently suffered a calf injury during a training session in August, further delaying his return. O’Rourke had also previously spent seven months on the sidelines because of a back stress fracture before returning to action earlier this year.

New Zealand have faced several injury setbacks ahead of India’s tour, which features five Twenty20 Internationals beginning on October 22, followed by five ODIs and two Test matches.

Meanwhile, batsman Mark Chapman and fast bowler Zak Foulkes have also been ruled out of New Zealand’s T20I squad. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner have been named as their replacements.