The question on every cricket fan’s mind right now is simple: Who is Praful Hinge? The young fast bowler has taken the Indian Premier League by storm after delivering a dream debut performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad. At just 24 years old, Hinge announced himself in spectacular fashion by claiming three wickets in his very first over—an achievement never seen before in IPL history.
A Dream Debut Against Rajasthan Royals
Making his IPL debut against Rajasthan Royals, Praful Hinge was handed the challenging responsibility of opening the bowling. Facing a dangerous batting lineup featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal and rising talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Hinge was relatively unknown at this level.
However, what followed stunned everyone. On the very first ball of his IPL career, Hinge dismissed the in-form Sooryavanshi. He didn’t stop there—he went on to remove Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the same over, creating a historic moment by becoming the first bowler ever to take three wickets in the opening over of an IPL innings.
In his next over, Hinge struck again by dismissing RR captain Riyan Parag. He ended his spell with remarkable figures of 4 wickets for 18 runs in 3 overs, including an impressive 13 dot balls. It was a performance that instantly put him in the spotlight.
Early Career and Domestic Journey
Praful Hinge hails from Vidarbha and began his cricketing journey at the age of 12. He made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in October 2024 and quickly established himself as a reliable bowler. During the Ranji Trophy season, he picked up 16 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 26.37.
Interestingly, before his IPL debut, Hinge had played only one senior T20 match, which came in December 2025 during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Andhra, where he recorded figures of 1 for 23.
His rise in T20 cricket gained momentum during the inaugural Vidarbha Pro T20 League, where he played a key role in leading Neco Master Blasters to the title.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar Warns Against Excessive Hype Around Young IPL Sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Playing Style and Inspirations
Hinge is known for his sharp pace and ability to extract bounce using his tall, lanky frame. His bowling style reflects discipline and aggression—qualities essential for success in modern T20 cricket.
He has often spoken about his admiration for Pat Cummins, his captain at SRH, calling him his idol. Sharing the dressing room with Cummins is something Hinge once dreamed of—and now it has become a reality.
Additionally, he draws inspiration from fellow Vidarbha pacer Umesh Yadav, with whom he even opened the bowling during his early T20 appearances.
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi IPL 2026: How Much Does the Young Star Earn Per Match?
A Rising Star to Watch
In total, Praful Hinge has played 10 first-class matches, taking 27 wickets, along with six List A games where he has claimed five wickets. While his domestic numbers show promise, it was his unforgettable IPL debut that truly introduced him to the global cricket audience.
So, who is Praful Hinge? He is not just a newcomer anymore—he is a rising fast-bowling talent who has already made history and could soon become a key name in Indian cricket.
