The Rise of Praful Hinge: From Nagpur to IPL History
On April 13, 2026, a 24-year-old bowler named Praful Hinge turned the cricket world upside down. Playing his very first IPL match for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) against the Rajasthan Royals, the young pacer from Nagpur did something never seen before in the tournament’s 19-year history: he took three wickets in the very first over.
Before the fans in Hyderabad could even settle in, Hinge had already destroyed the opposition’s top batting order.
A Debut to Remember
Starting the game for SRH, Hinge’s impact was instant and devastating. In just six balls, he sent three top players back to the dugout:
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The 15-year-old prodigy was out on his first ball (a golden duck).
Dhruv Jurel: Hinge knocked over his stumps just two balls later.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius: Out on the final ball of the over, caught while trying to flick the ball away.
By the end of over number one, Rajasthan Royals were 1/3. Hinge finished the match with incredible figures of 4/18, proving he belongs on the big stage.
The Journey from Vidarbha
Born on January 18, 2002, Praful’s path wasn’t easy. While his father was initially unsure about a career in sports, Praful’s talent at a summer camp earned him a spot at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) academy when he was 16.
- Known for his height and ability to make the ball bounce uncomfortably high, he became a star in domestic cricket:
- He helped Vidarbha win the Ranji Trophy in the 2024-25 season.
- He was a key player in their Vijay Hazare Trophy win in 2025-26.
The Best “Bargain” in the Auction
While some players sign for tens of crores, SRH found a “diamond in the rough” with Hinge. They bought him for his base price of ₹30 lakh during the IPL 2026 Auction.
It has turned out to be a steal. Between his auction price and the standard ₹7.5 lakh match fee paid by the BCCI, Hinge could earn over ₹1.35 crore this season if he continues to start every game.
Why He is Special
Hinge isn’t just fast; he is highly trained. He spent years perfecting his skills at the famous MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai and even trained at a high-performance camp in Brisbane, Australia.
Today, the “Vidarbha Express” is no longer a secret. In just six deliveries, Praful Hinge went from a hardworking local player to a national sensation, showing exactly how much talent is hidden in India’s domestic leagues.
