Praful Hinge Remains Grounded After Stellar IPL Debut

Praful Hinge, the emerging pacer for Sunrisers Hyderabad, remains grounded after a remarkable IPL debut where he took four wickets against Rajasthan Royals. Despite the sudden fame, Hinge emphasizes that this is just the beginning of his career. He shares insights into his preparation, strategies against key batsmen, and the invaluable training he received at the MRF Pace Academy. With a focus on hard work and maintaining his identity, Hinge is poised for a promising future in cricket. Read on to discover more about his journey and aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 24, 2026, 01:55 IST

A Humble Start to Stardom

Praful Hinge, the Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer, is taking his newfound fame in stride following an impressive debut in the IPL. He views this moment as merely the beginning of his journey.

In his first match against the Rajasthan Royals, Hinge showcased his talent by taking four wickets, dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel within his initial two overs.

His remarkable performance contributed to SRH's victory over RR by a margin of 57 runs, yet Hinge remains unfazed by the spotlight.

"I focused on blocking out the crowd and maintaining my composure. I practiced extensively in the nets, and I aimed to replicate that in the game. I felt great executing my plans," Hinge shared with reporters in the JioStar Press Room.

Despite becoming a social media sensation overnight, Hinge insists that he has not changed.

"I don’t feel different. There’s still much ahead of me, and I prefer to keep things simple. I strive to remain the same person I was before," he stated.

"I don’t see myself as famous. This is a common experience for many. If you work hard and seize opportunities, you should give it your all. That’s what I did, and it was a fantastic start," he added.

Among his four wickets, the dismissal of the in-form Sooryavanshi earned him significant praise.

Hinge elaborated on his strategy against the talented batsman, saying, "I had previously played against him in an under-23 match and got him out with a bouncer. I thought if I bowled the same delivery, he might hit it since he’s been aggressive from the start. So, I decided to test him with a back-of-the-length ball, and he couldn’t connect."

The 24-year-old also credited his experience bowling to big hitters like Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen during SRH training sessions for boosting his confidence before his debut.

"Their batting style is aggressive. Our team shares that mentality, and we treat net sessions like real matches. The more pressure we put on bowlers, the better we perform," he explained.

Hinge, recognized as a fearless talent, expressed gratitude towards the trainers at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai, led by Australian legend Glenn McGrath, for shaping his skills as a fast bowler.

"I learned a lot about my potential as a fast bowler there, as bowlers from various states came to improve. It helped me understand my standing and areas for improvement. I also had the opportunity to train in Australia, which was invaluable," he noted.

He praised former Indian pacer Varun Aaron, with whom he has closely worked, saying, "He understands fast bowlers well. Our mutual understanding is beneficial, and he focuses on what my body needs without overwhelming me with advice. It’s fantastic to have experienced coaches and mentors to help refine my skills. He’s a wonderful person," Hinge concluded.