Praful Hinge’s rise to IPL stardom feels like a story written in advance by fate. Back in 2024, when the Vidarbha pacer went unsold at the IPL mega auction, he made a quiet promise to his father, Prakash, that he would return stronger and earn a place the following year. When the mini-auction arrived, he rushed to a temple in Nagpur, sat in front of the deity, and watched the proceedings on his mobile screen. The moment Sunrisers Hyderabad picked his name, he dropped to the floor in gratitude.
For Hinge, it was more than a contract. It was the reward for years of patience, sacrifice and belief. That belief turned into history on Monday night. In his first outing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hinge produced one of the most remarkable debut spells the IPL has ever seen. He struck three times in his opening over, a feat never before achieved in the tournament’s 19-year history, and went on to finish with stunning figures of 4 for 34.
His victims included Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, all dismissed for ducks, before he returned to remove Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag as well. In one unforgettable night, an unknown pace bowler became the biggest talking point of IPL 2026. After receiving the Player of the Match award, Hinge revealed that he had visualised exactly this kind of performance. He had imagined taking four or five wickets on debut, and Sooryavanshi was the wicket he had wanted most.
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Those around him say the timing was no accident, but the result of years of hard work behind the scenes.No one knows that journey better than his father. Prakash Hinge, a recently retired employee of the Maharashtra Electricity department, admitted that he was initially unsure about letting his son chase cricket. Praful knew very little about the game in those early days, but his hunger to learn never faded.
“He asked me to get him enrolled on some academy here in Nagpur. But I was a bit sceptical about it, because it’s a costly game, especially the equipment. So, I tried convincing him to focus on studies. But he never listened,” Prakash Hinge told News18 CricketNext.
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Eventually, Prakash gave in and took him to Reshimbagh Gymkhana in Nagpur, where Praful’s cricket journey truly began. What started as a childhood interest soon became a full-time commitment.
“Humein laga ki thakenga to ghar ko wapas aa jayenga, par wo thaka nahi. Usne ground ko hi apna ghar bana liya. He used to spend the entire day in the field. He had little interest in studies but was fully focused on cricket. That’s when I realised that he might do well in the sport, lending my full support. He then started playing full-fledged,” he added.
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Under the guidance of coach Shishir Sudam, Praful learned not just bowling skills but also discipline and consistency. His path was not smooth. In 2015, he failed in the Vidarbha Cricket Association Under-14 trials, a setback that might have ended many young careers. Not his. He came back stronger, worked harder, and eventually earned selection in the Under-16 side the following year.
Praful’s progress was later interrupted by a serious back injury, a phase that left the family deeply worried. But even then, he found the right support at the right time. Former India pacer and current SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron helped him connect with the MRF Pace Foundation, where his rehabilitation and development gathered pace. Later, Glenn McGrath’s involvement took the journey one step further, as the pace great invited him to Brisbane for a training camp in 2022.
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That exposure changed everything. Praful returned with sharper skills and a renewed sense of purpose, eventually earning his place in the Sunrisers Hyderabad setup. His father believes critics only made him stronger.
“Jab tak insaan kuch bada ya alag na kar le, ya uska naam naa ho, log shant nahi baithte. There’s a saying in Marathi, ‘Nindakache Ghar Asawe Shejari.’ Until they criticise a person, he or she won’t get clarity in life. So, whoever had criticised Praful during his journey, he has answered them and turned them quiet with his performance,” Prakash said.
The Hinge family has been flooded with calls and congratulations since Monday night, but Prakash knows this is only the beginning. Praful has played just his second T20, and consistency will now decide how far he goes. For SRH, his dream debut came at the perfect time, helping them secure their second win of the season. With four days before their next clash against Chennai Super Kings, the franchise will hope this breakthrough marks the start of something special.
