Prafull Hinge : IPL 2026 witnessed a sensational debut as Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Prafull Hinge made an immediate impact against Rajasthan Royals. The young fast bowler turned the game on its head by picking up three wickets in his very first over, leaving the opposition stunned.
Hinge conceded just one run in that over while dismantling Rajasthan’s top order with remarkable precision and pace.
Three Wickets in a Single Over
The 24-year-old started his spell with a bang by dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a golden duck. A couple of deliveries later, he bowled Dhruv Jurel with a sharp delivery that rattled the stumps.
On the final ball of the over, Hinge struck again, sending Lhuan-dre Pretorius back to the pavilion. The catch was once again completed by Nitish Kumar Reddy, capping off a dream over.
With this spell, Hinge became the first bowler in IPL history to claim three wickets in the opening over of an innings.
From Impact Substitute to Match-Winner
Interestingly, Hinge was included as an impact player in the previous match but did not get a chance to play, as Ishan Kishan opted for Jaydev Unadkat in the playing XI. However, when given an opportunity this time, the young pacer grabbed it with both hands.
Journey of a Rising Fast Bowler
Hailing from Nagpur, Prafull Hinge initially aspired to be a batter. However, on his father’s advice, he switched to fast bowling—a decision that is now clearly paying off.
In his early days, his bowling action came under scrutiny, but consistent hard work helped him refine his technique. Since 2022, he has been training at the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai and even attended a 15-day camp in Brisbane, Australia, in 2024.
Domestic Record and IPL Opportunity
Hinge represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket. He made his senior debut in the 2024-25 season and has shown promise with the ball. In First-Class cricket, he has taken 27 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 26.66. In List A cricket, he has picked up five wickets in six games.
Before IPL 2026, he had featured in just one T20 match, claiming a single wicket. Despite limited experience, Sunrisers Hyderabad showed faith in him by signing him at a base price of ₹30 lakh—and he has already repaid that trust in spectacular fashion.