Praful Hinge, the 24-year-old pace bowler for Sunrisers Hyderabad, quickly became a talking point after a standout outing against the Rajasthan Royals. His impact was immediate: he struck with his second delivery by dismissing teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and then added two more wickets in the same over to set the tone for the night.
From debut nerves to instant headlines
- Hinge made an eye-catching start by taking a wicket with his second ball, removing Sooryavanshi.
- He continued his momentum and claimed two additional scalps within the same over, turning his spell into a breakthrough moment.
- Even after the dream debut, the pacer insisted that his daily routine feels largely unchanged.
Speaking after his IPL debut, Hinge explained that the plan was always to challenge Sooryavanshi with a short ball. He said he had already faced the youngster in an Under-23 match once, where a similar approach had resulted in a wicket. This time, he tried the same idea again and it paid off—though he only realised the scale of the achievement later. Hinge noted that he learned about the record of taking three wickets in the first over only after the match was over.
Despite the sudden fame, Hinge said he is trying to keep his focus on the job in hand. He added that he has been steering clear of social media and prioritising training, even as the debut moment continues to echo.
Belief from the dressing room
The fast bowler also credited the Sunrisers Hyderabad set-up for backing him. He said he learned a great deal during training alongside senior members of the squad, describing regular conversations where experienced players share guidance. Hinge pointed to clear messages from the coaching staff and captain, emphasising the idea that T20 cricket is fundamentally a batter’s game—and that bowlers must still commit with both heart and enjoyment in every phase.
Motivation from meeting Pat Cummins
Hinge admitted he looked up to Pat Cummins and recalled how he felt like a “total fanboy” when they first met at an SRH camp. He said he told Cummins how big a fan he was, and the Australian pacer responded warmly. Hinge mentioned that he shared that he had been watching Cummins’ bowling videos and training, and Cummins assured him that he would work with him and help improve his bowling—something the youngster described as highly motivating.
Family drive and the road to pro cricket
He also revealed the sources of motivation beyond the team environment. Hinge said his father, Prakash—who previously worked with the Maharashtra electricity department—and his sister, a chartered accountant, pushed him to aim higher. He explained that he wanted to do something that would make his family happy, and he admitted that he did not fully understand the structure of domestic cricket when he started out.
Hinge said he began playing with a leather ball at the age of 13, and since then, representing the country has remained his primary dream. He added that once he entered a two-month summer camp, he started to understand the pathway more clearly. He progressed through multiple age-group levels and only made his debut for the state team last year.
Influence of Glenn McGrath and Varun Aaron
To explain his progress, Hinge credited guidance from Glenn McGrath and Varun Aaron. He said that during his time with the MRF Pace Foundation, McGrath helped him refine his action. Hinge also praised Aaron for playing an important role in his development, saying the fast bowler understands what it takes to succeed and offered targeted direction.
