Sunrisers Hyderabad unearthed a new hero in IPL 2026 as debutant pacer Praful Hinge delivered a dream start against Rajasthan Royals, producing one of the most impactful opening overs of the season. Defending a competitive total of 217, set up largely by Ishan Kishan and valuable contributions from the middle order, SRH needed early breakthroughs—and Hinge delivered instantly.

Handed the new ball by skipper Ishan Kishan, Hinge justified the faith with a moment to remember. On the very first delivery of his IPL career, he dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a golden duck.

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The 15-year-old sensation, who had taken apart some of the biggest names in world cricket earlier this season, was caught off guard by a sharp bouncer. Attempting a pull shot, he mistimed it, resulting in a simple catch and a massive early blow for Rajasthan Royals.

Vaibhav sooryavanshi out on first ball against Hyderabad #vaibhav#SRHvsRR pic.twitter.com/inxVpcKxX7

— Fe Kuvera (@FeKuvera) April 13, 2026

Sooryavanshi’s wicket was significant, considering his red-hot form and ability to dominate Powerplays. His early dismissal not only boosted SRH’s confidence but also shifted early momentum in a high-pressure chase. Hinge’s fiery start helped SRH reduce RR to multiple wickets inside the Powerplay, putting the usually dominant batting lineup under immediate pressure.

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Rajasthan Royals, widely regarded as one of the strongest batting units this season, boast the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel alongside Sooryavanshi. Their aggressive approach has been key to their unbeaten run so far, but this early collapse exposed a rare vulnerability.

For Praful Hinge, it couldn’t have been a better introduction to the IPL. Delivering under pressure against one of the most in-form teams, the young pacer has already made a statement—announcing himself as a bowler to watch this season.