IPL 2025: Who is Will O'Rourke making his IPL debut in LSG vs SRH game?

The 23-year-old New Zealand right-arm fast bowler Will O'Rourke made his IPL debut on Monday evening (May 19), as he is serving for Lucknow Super Giants against SunRisers Hyderabad during the 61st match of the IPL 2025 in Lucknow.

New Zealand fast bowler Will O'Rourke has joined the LSG squad as the replacement for Indian pacer Mayank Yadav, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. After SRH captain Pat Cummins chose to bowl first, LSG captain Rishabh Pant confirmed the Blackcaps pacer's IPL debut.

IPL debutant Will O'Rourke has solid impact in early international career

The right-arm fast bowler Will O'Rourke has impressed recently with his top-quality bowling performances. After making his international cricket debut in December 2023, he has played 32 international matches. He has recorded 36 wickets in 10 Tests, 22 wickets in 17 ODIs, and five wickets in five T20Is.

Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand played an ODI tri-series along with South Africa and the hosts Pakistan. While the Blackcaps won that tri-series, Will O'Rourke won the Player of the Match award in the final (4/43) and finished the tournament as the joint leading wicket-taker with six wickets. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, he took six wickets in five games.

Will O'Rourke is now playing his first match in any overseas franchise T20 cricket. The right-arm fast bowler has taken 37 wickets in 38 T20 matches, including one four-fer.

IPL 2025: LSG need to win all remaining matches

In the meantime, it is a must-win match for LSG to stay in the Playoffs battle for the IPL 2025. They are in seventh place with 10 points after 11 matches (five wins and six losses), as they can't afford any more hiccups in this tournament.