Praful Hinge Shatters IPL Record with Three First-Over Wickets on SRH Debut
When Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Ishan Kishan handed the new ball to debutant Praful Hinge, the expectations were grounded in potential rather than immediate history-making. However, the 24-year-old right-arm fast bowler delivered a sensational opening over, dismantling the Rajasthan Royals’ top order and immediately altering the match trajectory.
A Historic Opening Over
Hinge achieved a feat previously unseen in the Indian Premier League. He became the first bowler in the tournament’s history to secure three wickets in the very first over of an innings. His fiery spell left Rajasthan reeling, dismissing three frontline batters for zero runs.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Dismissed for a duck
- Dhruv Jurel: Dismissed for a duck
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius: Dismissed for a duck
Before Hinge’s breakthrough, IPL records documented 32 instances of bowlers striking twice in the opening over. The only comparable effort for Sunrisers Hyderabad was registered by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who claimed two wickets in the first over against the same opposition at the same venue in 2024.
Elite Powerplay Bowling Performances
Finishing his opening spell with figures of 4/18, Hinge joined an exclusive group of bowlers who have claimed four or more wickets inside the mandatory six-over powerplay. This elite club features some of the premier fast bowlers in global cricket.
| Bowler | Team | Figures | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ishant Sharma | Deccan Chargers | 5/12 | 2011 |
| Praful Hinge | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 4/18 | 2026 |
| Deepak Chahar | Chennai Super Kings | 4/13 | 2021 |
*Note: Partial list of notable powerplay spells. Data verified via ESPN Cricinfo statistics.
From Vidarbha to Sunrisers Hyderabad
Hinge, a seamer from Vidarbha, secured his IPL contract when Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired him for Rs 30 lakh at the auction. Prior to his T20 breakout, he established his credentials primarily in domestic red-ball cricket.
Making his first-class debut in October 2024, Hinge became a regular fixture in the Ranji Trophy. His career statistics demonstrate consistent wicket-taking ability and disciplined line-and-length bowling:
- First-Class Matches: 10
- Total Wickets: 27
- Bowling Average: 26.70
- Ranji Trophy Specific: 16 wickets in 11 innings
His exposure to the shortest format was strictly limited before joining SRH. He had recorded just one appearance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, posting figures of 1/23 against Andhra Pradesh while sharing the new ball with veteran pacer Umesh Yadav.
Despite this lack of T20 experience, the Sunrisers Hyderabad management integrated him into a pace attack featuring international stars like Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat. By capitalizing on his debut opportunity, Hinge justified the franchise’s scouting and confirmed his status as a high-potential fast bowler in the national circuit.