Praful Hinge could hardly have scripted a more electrifying opening to his IPL career, as his early burst proved decisive in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s crucial victory over Rajasthan Royals on Monday night. In a season where batters have often held the upper hand, the young fast bowler tilted the contest almost immediately—claiming three wickets in his very first over.
Dream debut: three wickets in the opening over
Hinge struck right at the start by dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks. The Royals were left scrambling from the first moments, and that sharp spell effectively drained their momentum and shaped the direction of the match.
Match impact and Player of the Match
The influence of Hinge’s debut wasn’t limited to the early damage he caused. He finished with outstanding figures of 4/34, a haul that played a major role in Sunrisers Hyderabad posting a commanding win by 57 runs.
- Praful Hinge returned figures of 4/34
- His early strikes set the tone for Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Sunrisers Hyderabad won the game by 57 runs
- He was named Player of the Match on debut
From cricket buzz to a massive social media spike
The debut also sparked an immediate surge of attention off the field. After his performance, Praful Hinge’s Instagram following jumped dramatically—growing by 40 times within three hours. His audience went from around 3,000 followers before the match to well over 100,000 by the end of the game, and it continued upward, passing 150,000 by the next morning.
The rapid rise highlighted how quickly fortunes can change in the IPL, where a single standout appearance can instantly turn a newcomer into a widely recognised name.
Hinge on preparation, powerplay plans and family support
After the match, Hinge reflected on how confidence and preparation guided his approach. He spoke about backing his instincts, trusting the work he had done beforehand, and specifically targeting the powerplay as a phase where he could make an immediate difference. He also credited his family for their support throughout his journey to this point.
- He said he had already imagined taking 4–5 wickets on debut
- He aimed to dominate the powerplay
- He described his mindset as “manifestation,” believing in the impact beforehand
- He dedicated the Player of the Match award to his family
Hinge explained that his cricket journey began when he was 13, noting that he didn’t even know what “leather ball” cricket was at the time. He said he asked his father to take him to a club, but was initially told he was too young. He then added that his father eventually brought him there, and he continued playing from that point onward.
“I had written this somewhere that I will take 4-5 wickets on my debut. I thought of dominating the powerplay. I believe in it (manifestation),” Hinge told the broadcaster after the match. He then added, “At the age of 13, I started cricket. Did not know what leather ball cricket was. Asked my father to join a club. But he said I was too young. Then he just took me there, and I kept playing after it. Want to dedicate this award to my family.”
