Sunrisers Hyderabad made a statement at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Monday, turning what many expected to be a high-scoring Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals clash into a controlled win. The difference came largely from two first-timers with the ball: 21-year-old uncapped pacer Sakib Hussain, who produced a debut spell of 4 for 24, and fellow debutant Praful Hinge, who struck for 4 for 34 as SRH cruised to victory by 57 runs.
Debut brilliance as SRH restrict RR
With the crowd at the venue anticipating runs, the match unfolded in the opposite direction. Instead of a shootout, spectators witnessed a bowler-led performance that swung momentum early and never really allowed Rajasthan Royals to regain control.
- On his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals, Sakib Hussain finished with figures of 4/24.
- Praful Hinge, also making his IPL debut, supported with 4/34.
- SRH ultimately won the IPL 2026 match by 57 runs in Hyderabad.
How rare was Sakib’s 4-wicket debut?
Sakib’s impact was not just decisive for the result—it was historically significant as well. He became the seventh player in IPL history to claim four or more wickets on debut, immediately placing his name among the league’s most impressive maiden efforts.
His 4/24 also means he shares the joint-fifth best bowling figures in an IPL debut match alongside Ashwani Kumar, putting him in the same elite bracket as a handful of highly notable debut spells.
- Alzarri Joseph holds the benchmark with 6/12 on debut (MI vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2019).
- Andrew Tye followed with 5/17 on debut (GL vs RPS, Rajkot, 2017).
- Shoaib Akhtar is listed with 4/11 on debut (KKR vs DC, Kolkata, 2008).
Best bowling figures on IPL debut
- Alzarri Joseph – 6/12 (MI vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2019)
- Andrew Tye – 5/17 (GL vs RPS, Rajkot, 2017)
- Shoaib Akhtar – 4/11 (KKR vs DC, Kolkata, 2008)
- Kevon Cooper – 4/26 (RR vs PBKS, Jaipur, 2012)
- Ashwani Kumar – 4/24 (MI vs KKR, Mumbai WS, 2025)
- Sakib Hussain – 4/24 (SRH vs RR, Hyderabad, 2026)
- David Wiese – 4/33 (RCB vs MI, Bengaluru, 2015)
- Praful Hinge – 4/34 (SRH vs RR, Hyderabad, 2026)
Other 4-wicket maiden spells (all uncapped)
Sakib’s debut tally also joins a short list of uncapped players who have managed a four-wicket haul in their first IPL outing. Along with his own 4/24, the record includes other 4-fors achieved across different seasons and venues.
- 4/24 – Shadab Jakati (CSK) vs DC, Johannesburg, 2009
- 4/24 – Ashwani Kumar (MI) vs KKR, Mumbai WS, 2025
- 4/24 – Sakib Hussain (SRH) vs RR, Hyderabad, 2026
- 2/29 – Paul Valthaty (PBKS) vs Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad, 2011
- 4/34 – Praful Hinge (SRH) vs RR, Hyderabad, 2026
From Bihar to IPL: the road to Monday’s breakthrough
Hailing from Gopalganj in Bihar, Sakib Hussain’s rise has been closely followed by IPL scouts, and his journey to Monday’s performance is filled with key steps across domestic and franchise cricket.
- Sakib was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction.
- He had previously been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2024 season, but he did not get a game and was released before the next season.
- The right-arm pacer made his T20 debut for Bihar in the 2022-23 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- At just 17 years old, he recorded figures of 4 for 20 in his second match in that competition.
- He later produced his first five-wicket haul in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, taking 6 for 41 against Arunachal Pradesh.
- On Monday, he delivered when it mattered most—rattling Rajasthan Royals’ feared batting lineup in his IPL debut.
What the debut duo delivered for SRH
While pre-match expectations leaned toward a high-scoring contest, SRH managed to control the game through disciplined bowling spearheaded by their two new-ball debutants. The combined impact of Sakib Hussain’s 4/24 and Praful Hinge’s 4/34 played a central role as Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a 57-run win in Hyderabad.
