The IPL has a knack for producing overnight stars, and Praful Hinge is the latest name to set the tournament ablaze. In an extraordinary debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the 24-year-old pacer dismantled the Rajasthan Royals (RR) top order with a triple-wicket maiden.
Who is Praful Hinge?
A relatively unknown name to the masses before today, Hinge is a 24-year-old seamer from Vidarbha.
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Auction Value: Picked up by SRH for a bargain ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction.
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Domestic Pedigree: He entered the IPL with a strong first-class record, claiming 27 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 26.7.
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The “Umesh” Factor: He honed his skills in the domestic circuit bowling alongside veteran Indian pacer Umesh Yadav.
The Over That Changed the Game
Hinge’s first over in the IPL will go down in history. He reduced Rajasthan Royals to a staggering 1/3 by dismissing three key players for ducks:
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (0): Used a hard-length delivery that hurried the 15-year-old prodigy into a mistimed pull, caught by the keeper.
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Dhruv Jurel (0): Delivered a beautiful ball outside off that nipped back, catching the inside edge and rattling the stumps.
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Lhuan-dre Pretorius (0): Tempted the batter with a full, swinging delivery; Pretorius flicked it straight to a fielder in the deep.
A Tactical Masterstroke
The decision to hand Hinge his cap today proved to be a “masterstroke” by the SRH management. By removing the explosive Sooryavanshi and the steady Jurel in a matter of balls, Hinge has immediately justified his place in the XI and likely secured a long run in the tournament.
The cricketing world is now buzzing about this “Vidarbha Express,” whose discipline and ability to swing the ball at pace have left the Rajasthan Royals reeling in the mid-season phase of IPL 2026.
