• Source:JND
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India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team: New Zealand's quick bowlers wreaked havoc in overcast conditions as they reduced hosts India to 34-6 at lunch on the second day of their rain-hit opening test on Thursday.

Rishabh Pant was 15 not out at the break after rain, which had washed out the opening day's action, briefly halted proceedings midway through the session.

William O'Rourke was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-13, with India in danger of folding for their lowest total at home since making 75 against the West Indies in New Delhi in 1987.

Who is William O'Rourke?

O'Rourke, a promising young cricketer from New Zealand, was born on August 6, 2001, in London. He has already made an impact on the international stage, representing the Black Caps in five Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. O'Rourke made his international debut during New Zealand’s home series against Bangladesh in December 2023.

In his first ODI, played on December 17, 2023, in Dunedin, O'Rourke took one wicket for 35 runs in five overs. He has since played three ODIs, picking up a total of five wickets. After his ODI debut, O'Rourke transitioned into Test cricket, where he shone brightly. In his first Test against South Africa in Hamilton, he took an impressive 9 wickets (4 in the first innings and 5 in the second). He followed that up with another strong performance against Sri Lanka in Galle, where he dismissed 8 batters (5 in the first innings and 3 in the second). Overall, O'Rourke has taken 22 wickets in just five Tests, showcasing his potential as a key bowler for New Zealand.

William O'Rourke Exploits In Bengaluru

The talismanic Virat Kohli was O'Rourke's first victim, in at number three after Shubman Gill was ruled out with injury, was caught at leg gully by a diving Glenn Phillips after O'Rourke got one to move back in towards the batsman's ribcage.

O'Rourke could have had a fourth wicket shortly after the rain delay but for sloppy wicketkeeping by Tom Blundell, who dropped a simple chance to hand Pant a lifeline when the left-hander was on seven.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was not as fortunate when a well-timed cut off O'Rourke went straight to Ajaz Patel, before the impressive paceman sent back KL Rahul for a duck.

Inputs from Reuters