Sunrisers Hyderabad’s young pace prospect Praful Hinge made an eye-catching start to his IPL journey, delivering a remarkable opening-over spell against the Rajasthan Royals that went down in tournament record books. After the debut, Hinge reflected on the thought process behind his plan versus RR’s batting dynamo Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, explaining how a past dismissal shaped his tactics and how the team prepares bowlers for the constant pressure of T20 hitting.
Key takeaways
- Praful Hinge produced a historic early impact on his IPL debut by taking three wickets in the first over against Rajasthan Royals.
- He said he had previously removed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with a bouncer in an Under-23 match and tried to replicate that approach.
- Hinge believed Sooryavanshi’s aggressive intent meant testing him with the short ball would force a timing mistake.
- He described a clear communication process in the team meeting, with discussions involving both Hinge and the bowling coach.
- He pointed to practice against hard-hitting batters such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen as key preparation for high-pressure moments.
Debut success and a targeted plan for Sooryavanshi
Hinge’s IPL introduction came with a statement performance, as he grabbed three wickets in the very first over versus the Rajasthan Royals. Looking back on that match, the pacer shared that his strategy against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was built on a specific piece of prior knowledge: in an Under-23 game, he had already dismissed the batter using a bouncer.
Expecting Sooryavanshi to be proactive, Hinge decided to bring the same weapon into play. He explained that when a bowler releases a bouncer, batters often look to attack it—and that was exactly what he wanted to test. In his view, Sooryavanshi went for the shot but failed to time it correctly, resulting in his downfall.
What Hinge said about the conversation, the fielding stance and execution
Hinge also detailed how the plan was formed and adjusted. He said that in the team discussion he offered his own thinking first, after which the bowling coach added his perspective. While Hinge initially preferred delivering from around the wicket, he noted that Sooryavanshi’s instructions during the session led him to bowl from over the wicket for one delivery.
According to Hinge, that very ball became the turning point—he dismissed Sooryavanshi on the wicket he had been asked to use. He summed up the moment by saying both he and the coaching staff were pleased with how the plan unfolded.
Practice intensity: simulating match pressure every day
Beyond the debut story, Hinge discussed how training is designed to mirror the intensity of IPL match situations. He highlighted that facing aggressive batters in practice helps bowlers prepare for the demands of T20 cricket, naming Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen as key examples.
He said the team’s structure is built around scoring heavily in every match, and that the nets reflect the same mindset. In his description, batters try to strike every delivery, placing bowlers under constant pressure. He added that bowlers in turn treat net sessions like real games, putting themselves in mental scenarios—“I am bowling to Ishan Kishan, Abhishek, or Klaasen”—so they can focus on executing their best ball even when the batter is looking to clear the boundary.
Hinge concluded by explaining the battle within practice: hitters will attempt to launch him for a six, while he aims to produce the most accurate and effective ball he can, ensuring both sides bring full intensity to the contest.
