Meet Praful Hinge: The Vidarbha Express Who Ignited His IPL Journey with a Historic Triple-Wicket Over.
On April 13, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, a relatively unknown 24-year-old right-arm pacer from Nagpur, Maharashtra, scripted history in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Praful Prakash Hinge, making his debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against Rajasthan Royals (RR), delivered a performance that will be etched in IPL folklore forever. Handed the new ball in the powerplay against a formidable RR opening pair, Hinge dismantled the top order with three wickets in his very first over — a feat no bowler had achieved in the tournament's 19-year history.
He removed the in-form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with his first delivery, followed by Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the same over. Hinge then claimed RR captain Riyan Parag in his second over, finishing with stunning figures of 4/34 (or 4/18 in some reports on his first spell) in a match SRH won by 57 runs. This dream debut not only earned him Player of the Match but also announced the arrival of a new pace sensation.
He removed the in-form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with his first delivery, followed by Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the same over. Hinge then claimed RR captain Riyan Parag in his second over, finishing with stunning figures of 4/34 (or 4/18 in some reports on his first spell) in a match SRH won by 57 runs. This dream debut not only earned him Player of the Match but also announced the arrival of a new pace sensation.
Early Life and Cricket Beginnings
Praful Hinge was born on January 18, 2002, in Nagpur, the heart of Vidarbha cricket. Like many Indian cricketers from smaller regions, his journey began modestly. He started playing cricket at the age of 13, initially unfamiliar with the leather ball. "I didn't initially know what leather ball cricket is," Hinge recalled in a post-match interview. "But I told my father to enrol me in a club and he took me there and that's how I started my cricket."
His family played a pivotal role. In an exclusive interview earlier, Hinge spoke about his sister's sacrifices that helped fuel his dreams. Growing up in a middle-class household, resources were limited, but determination was abundant. Hinge trained rigorously, honing his skills as a right-arm medium-fast bowler who leverages his lanky frame for bounce and nip off the surface.
By his late teens, Hinge caught the eye of Vidarbha selectors. He has been associated with the Vidarbha Cricket Association and teams like VCA Orange and Neco Master Blasters in local T20 leagues. His breakthrough came in the 2024-25 domestic season.
IPL 2026: Who is Praful Hinge? The debutant for SRH in today's game against Punjab Kings.
Domestic Career: Building the Foundation
Hinge made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in October 2024. In just 10 first-class matches, he picked up 27 wickets at an impressive average of 26.66, with a best of 4/60. His ability to bowl long, disciplined spells and generate bounce even on flat tracks made him a valuable asset in the Ranji Trophy, where Vidarbha has a strong legacy.
In List A cricket, he has played 6 games, taking 5 wickets. His T20 exposure was minimal before IPL — just one Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Andhra in December 2025, where he took 1/23 while opening the bowling alongside senior India pacer Umesh Yadav. He also shone in the inaugural Vidarbha Pro T20 League, contributing significantly to Neco Master Blasters' title win.
These performances showcased Hinge as a "workhorse" pacer — nippy, accurate, and capable of swinging the new ball while maintaining control in the middle overs.
Inspirations: Pat Cummins and Umesh Yadav
Hinge has been vocal about his idols shaping his approach. He idolizes SRH captain Pat Cummins, aspiring to share the dressing room with the Australian legend. "I am excited... I am looking forward to meet with Pat Cummins as he is my idol," Hinge said before the season. His bowling style — aggressive, smart, and using variations — draws from Cummins' influence.
Closer to home, Umesh Yadav, a Vidarbha senior and former India international, has been a major inspiration. Hinge opened the bowling with Umesh on his T20 debut and learned invaluable lessons from the veteran's journey. "Umesh Yadav's journey inspires me... He used to share a lot of stories of his journey," Hinge noted. This mentorship helped him transition from domestic circuits to the high-pressure IPL stage.
The evolution of Umesh Yadav-From a wannabe policeman to a mean bowling catalyst.
Hinge made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in October 2024. In just 10 first-class matches, he picked up 27 wickets at an impressive average of 26.66, with a best of 4/60. His ability to bowl long, disciplined spells and generate bounce even on flat tracks made him a valuable asset in the Ranji Trophy, where Vidarbha has a strong legacy.
In List A cricket, he has played 6 games, taking 5 wickets. His T20 exposure was minimal before IPL — just one Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Andhra in December 2025, where he took 1/23 while opening the bowling alongside senior India pacer Umesh Yadav. He also shone in the inaugural Vidarbha Pro T20 League, contributing significantly to Neco Master Blasters' title win.
These performances showcased Hinge as a "workhorse" pacer — nippy, accurate, and capable of swinging the new ball while maintaining control in the middle overs.
Inspirations: Pat Cummins and Umesh Yadav
Hinge has been vocal about his idols shaping his approach. He idolizes SRH captain Pat Cummins, aspiring to share the dressing room with the Australian legend. "I am excited... I am looking forward to meet with Pat Cummins as he is my idol," Hinge said before the season. His bowling style — aggressive, smart, and using variations — draws from Cummins' influence.
Closer to home, Umesh Yadav, a Vidarbha senior and former India international, has been a major inspiration. Hinge opened the bowling with Umesh on his T20 debut and learned invaluable lessons from the veteran's journey. "Umesh Yadav's journey inspires me... He used to share a lot of stories of his journey," Hinge noted. This mentorship helped him transition from domestic circuits to the high-pressure IPL stage.
The evolution of Umesh Yadav-From a wannabe policeman to a mean bowling catalyst.
The Historic IPL Debut: SRH vs RR, April 13, 2026
SRH signed Hinge for a modest ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction as a backup pace option in a squad featuring Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat. With some senior bowlers unavailable, debutant skipper Ishan Kishan (or leadership in his absence) threw the new ball to the youngster against a star-studded RR lineup.
What followed was pure magic. Hinge struck with the first ball, dismissing Sooryavanshi (a highly touted young talent) for a golden duck, reportedly with a well-executed bouncer as he had predicted to friends. The over unraveled further with two more wickets, creating a triple-wicket maiden (or near-maiden) that left RR reeling at low scores early. He added Parag's wicket soon after, recording 13 dot balls in his spell.
Post-match, an emotional Hinge said, "I had manifested this. I think I had written it somewhere last year that the first match I play, I will take four or five wickets." He credited bowling coach Varun Aaron for preparation and dedicated the award to his family. "I wanted to dominate as much as possible in the powerplay." Fellow debutant Sakib Hussain complemented him, as the pair shared eight wickets in a dominant SRH bowling display.
This performance made Hinge the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in the opening over of an innings. It joins rare powerplay hauls by legends like Ishant Sharma, Shoaib Akhtar, Pat Cummins, and Mohammed Shami.
Technical Strengths and Playing Style.
SRH signed Hinge for a modest ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction as a backup pace option in a squad featuring Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat. With some senior bowlers unavailable, debutant skipper Ishan Kishan (or leadership in his absence) threw the new ball to the youngster against a star-studded RR lineup.
What followed was pure magic. Hinge struck with the first ball, dismissing Sooryavanshi (a highly touted young talent) for a golden duck, reportedly with a well-executed bouncer as he had predicted to friends. The over unraveled further with two more wickets, creating a triple-wicket maiden (or near-maiden) that left RR reeling at low scores early. He added Parag's wicket soon after, recording 13 dot balls in his spell.
Post-match, an emotional Hinge said, "I had manifested this. I think I had written it somewhere last year that the first match I play, I will take four or five wickets." He credited bowling coach Varun Aaron for preparation and dedicated the award to his family. "I wanted to dominate as much as possible in the powerplay." Fellow debutant Sakib Hussain complemented him, as the pair shared eight wickets in a dominant SRH bowling display.
This performance made Hinge the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in the opening over of an innings. It joins rare powerplay hauls by legends like Ishant Sharma, Shoaib Akhtar, Pat Cummins, and Mohammed Shami.
Technical Strengths and Playing Style.
Hinge stands out with his height and lanky build, allowing him to extract extra bounce — a nightmare for batters on true pitches. He swings the new ball both ways, mixes in seam movement, and has developed variations like cutters and slower balls for T20 cricket. His economy in domestic T20s and now IPL shows maturity beyond his experience.
Coaches praise his work ethic, discipline, and ability to bowl long spells — traits honed in first-class cricket. Training at MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022 and a camp in Brisbane in 2024 further polished his skills.
Impact on SRH and IPL 2026
SRH's pace attack, already potent, gained a dynamic new weapon. Hinge's debut injected energy into a unit missing Cummins initially. His success could pave the way for more opportunities in a star-studded squad aiming for playoff contention.
For Indian cricket, talents like Hinge from non-metro regions highlight the depth of domestic systems. Vidarbha's production line (including Umesh) continues to deliver.
Looking Ahead: Future Prospects
At 24, Hinge has played only 2 T20s before this explosion but looks ready for the big stage. Consistent performances could earn him India A calls or more IPL spotlight. Challenges include adapting to different pitches, handling pressure, and building variations against world-class batters.
His story — from club cricket in Nagpur to historic IPL debut — embodies perseverance. As he said, dedicating success to family underscores his grounded nature.
In the coming weeks of IPL 2026, all eyes will be on whether Praful Hinge can sustain this momentum. One thing is certain: cricket fans have a new hero to cheer for — a lanky pacer who turned a debut into destiny with three magical wickets in six balls.
Career Statistics Snapshot (as of April 2026):
First-Class: 10 matches, 27 wickets @ 26.66
List A: 6 matches, 5 wickets
T20s/IPL: 2 matches, 5 wickets @ 11.40 (incl. 4/34 on debut)
Praful Hinge's journey is just beginning, but it has already left an indelible mark. Watch this space for more fireworks from the Vidarbha quick.
Who is Praful Hinge? Vidarbha bowler, took 3 wickets in his first IPL over, dismissing Suryavanshi, Jurel and Pretorius.
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