Who Is Praful Hinge? From Vidarbha To IPL Fame

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is well-known for discovering new talent, but the debut of Praful Hinge for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2026 is one of the most remarkable stories in recent years.

The 24-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Vidarbha made an immediate impact against the Rajasthan Royals, turning the game into a historic moment. His success is a result of years of hard work in domestic cricket and a strong recovery from serious injuries that once threatened his career.

Hinge’s performance was statistically extraordinary. Taking the new ball, he delivered an incredible first over that many experts are calling the best debut performance in the league’s history. In those first six balls, he took 3 wickets while giving away only 1 run.

He dismissed top players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. By the end of his four overs, Hinge had total figures of 4/34, including the important wicket of Rajasthan’s captain, Riyan Parag. This earned him the Player of the Match award and set a record as the first bowler to take three wickets in his very first IPL over.

Praful Hinge: From Career-Threatening Injury to IPL Speedster

Before reaching this stage, Hinge had to overcome a major stress fracture in 2024. He spent a year away from cricket, focusing on rehabilitation under the guidance of former India player Varun Aaron and experts at the MRF Pace Foundation.

His domestic statistics show why he was selected; he played a key role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy win during the 2024/25 season, where he took 27 wickets in 10 matches. His ability to bowl consistently at speeds between 140–145 kmph made him a top target for SRH scouts.

The public reaction to his debut was equally massive. His social media presence grew instantly, with his Instagram followers jumping from 3,000 to over 150,000 in just twelve hours. This represents a growth of 4,900%, showing how quickly he has become a household name.

With a best bowling performance of 4/34 on his resume, Praful Hinge has transitioned from a promising local player to a key part of the SRH bowling attack and a rising star in Indian cricket.