Praful Hinge Announces IPL Arrival: SRH Debutant Dismantles RR Top Order
Sunrisers Hyderabad introduced a new pace weapon during their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign. Twenty-four-year-old Vidarbha fast bowler Praful Hinge delivered a devastating opening over on debut, tearing through the Rajasthan Royals top order at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
From Vidarbha to the IPL Stage
Acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 30 lakh at the mega auction, Hinge built his foundation in Indian domestic cricket. Bowling alongside veteran pacers like Umesh Yadav, the right-arm seamer developed a reputation for hitting hard lengths and maintaining disciplined lines over long spells.
Before his T20 breakthrough, Hinge compiled consistent numbers in the red-ball format for Vidarbha.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Bowling Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 10 | 27 | 26.70 |
The Triple-Strike Over
Handed the new ball against a formidable Rajasthan lineup, Hinge responded with an aggressive spell that reduced the visitors to 1/3. He dismissed three frontline batters for ducks in the space of a single over.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Hinge struck early with a hard-length delivery that extracted extra bounce. Sooryavanshi attempted an aggressive pull shot but mistimed it, sending the ball straight up for a simple catch by the wicketkeeper.
- Dhruv Jurel: Bowling just outside the off stump, Hinge generated sharp inward movement off the seam. Jurel played a defensive stroke, but the ball took the inside edge and shattered the stumps.
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius: For his third dismissal, Hinge pitched the ball up and found late away swing. Pretorius attempted a leg-side flick, closed the bat face early, and offered a comfortable catch to a fielder positioned in the deep.
This opening burst immediately put the Rajasthan Royals on the back foot, establishing Hinge as a top young prospect to watch for the remainder of the tournament.