From Stress Fracture to IPL Stardom: Glenn McGrath and Varun Aaron Revive Praful Hinge
When a professional pace bowling career is interrupted by a severe back injury, recovery requires precise medical intervention and technical restructuring. For Vidarbha and Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer Praful Hinge, that support system came from Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath and Indian quick Varun Aaron.
Hinge announced his arrival on the Indian Premier League stage with a highly effective debut spell at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Defending a target of 217 runs, Hinge dismantled the Rajasthan Royals top order, reducing them to 1/3 inside the powerplay.
A Historic IPL Debut Spell
Hinge was given the new ball and immediately exploited the pitch conditions. In his opening over, he dismissed three frontline Rajasthan Royals batters, showcasing a blend of pinpoint accuracy and sharp movement.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Caught out in the first over.
- Dhruv Jurel: Dismissed cheaply as SRH built pressure.
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius: The South African debutant fell victim to Hinge’s exact line and length.
- Riyan Parag: The Royals captain was sent back to the dugout in Hinge’s second over.
Match Statistics: Praful Hinge vs Rajasthan Royals
| Overs | Maidens | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 0 | 34 | 4 | 8.50 |
The Road to Recovery: MRF Pace Foundation to Brisbane
Just two and a half years ago, a stress fracture in his lower back threatened to end Hinge’s career. Rehabilitation for fast bowlers is notoriously difficult, but SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron intervened. Aaron, whose own career featured multiple injury comebacks, guided the young pacer through his physical rehabilitation.
Following his initial recovery, Hinge caught the attention of Glenn McGrath, the Director of Coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. Recognizing his raw potential and consistent pace, McGrath invited Hinge to train at Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.
Prakash Hinge, Praful’s father, confirmed the extent of this high-level support. “Varun Aaron came like an angel in Praful’s career. When Praful had a stress fracture, we all thought his cricket was over, but Varun took him under his wing,” he told reporters. “Glenn McGrath was impressed by his line and length and took him to Brisbane. All the costs were taken care of by the MRF Pace Foundation.”
Technical Tweaks and Vidarbha Connections
Former Vidarbha cricketer Ranjit Paradkar, who coached Hinge at the U-16 and U-23 levels, noted that the injury ultimately shaped Hinge into a more durable bowler. According to Paradkar, Aaron implemented necessary technical modifications to Hinge’s run-up, bowling action, and follow-through, drastically reducing the physical strain on his back.
Hinge’s successful integration into the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad is aided by a familiar face. Harsh Dubey, who captained Hinge during the U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, is currently sharing the SRH dressing room. This strong domestic foundation, combined with coaching from Aaron and McGrath, has positioned Hinge as a premium fast-bowling asset monitored closely by the BCCI and analysts at ESPNcricinfo.
Hinge’s trajectory from a tennis-ball cricketer in Nagpur to a strike bowler in the world’s premier T20 competition highlights the critical intersection of sports medicine, elite coaching, and persistent training.