New Zealand’s pace bowler Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the upcoming home cricket series against India as he continues to recover from hamstring and calf muscle injuries. The announcement was made by New Zealand Cricket on Saturday, confirming that O’Rourke will miss both the One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches scheduled for the series.

The decision to sideline O’Rourke is described as a precautionary measure aimed at allowing the 25-year-old to fully rehabilitate and gradually build up his bowling workload. New Zealand coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the timing but emphasized the importance of a careful recovery process. “It’s obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India,” Walter said. He added that all parties agreed it was best for O’Rourke to take the necessary time to regain fitness.

O’Rourke, who made his Test debut in 2024, has played 14 Tests, taking 49 wickets at an average just below 25. He played a significant role in New Zealand’s 2-1 Test series victory in England in June, where he claimed 10 wickets. However, he sustained the hamstring injury during the final Test of that series and has not appeared in international cricket since.

Looking ahead, the New Zealand coaching staff is hopeful that O’Rourke will recover in time to participate in the four-Test series in Australia, set to begin in early December. The series against India, which includes both limited-overs and Test formats, is regarded as a crucial part of New Zealand’s international calendar, making O’Rourke’s absence notable for the team.

The team will need to adjust their bowling attack strategies in his absence as they prepare to face a strong Indian squad at home. While the injury setback is a blow for New Zealand, the focus remains on ensuring O’Rourke’s full fitness for future fixtures, particularly the upcoming tour down under.