The Untold Story Of SRH’s Praful Hinge Who Became IPL’s Biggest Surprise Overnight

In cricket, one moment can change everything. For Praful Hinge, that moment arrived in the IPL 2026 but the story truly began a year earlier when he went unsold in the IPL 2024 mega auction. Disappointed but not broken, the young pacer made a simple promise to his father Prakash Hinge that he would make it next year.

That promise stayed with him.

When the IPL mini-auction came around, Praful Hinge was not sitting with friends or celebrating. Instead, he went to a temple in Nagpur. Sitting quietly in front of the deity, he kept his eyes fixed on his phone, waiting for his name. When Sunrisers Hyderabad finally picked him, emotions took over. He laid flat on the floor, thanking the God for giving him another chance.

But what happened next turned him into a sensation.

On his debut night, when Sunrisers Hyderabad introduced him to the cricketing world, very few knew his name. Within minutes, everyone did. In a stunning start, Praful Hinge picked up three wickets in his very first over, something that had not happened in 19 years of the IPL history. He dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, all for ducks. He later added the wicket of Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 34.

It was the kind of debut most players only dream of.

Interestingly, Praful Hinge later revealed that he had imagined this moment. He had visualised taking four to five wickets on debut, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi being his top target. That belief and clarity reflected in his performance.

Behind this success lies years of struggle, discipline and determination, something his father understands better than anyone. Prakash Hinge, who recently retired from the Maharashtra Electricity Department, was not always convinced about his son’s cricketing ambitions. Like many parents, he worried about stability and expenses. Cricket, after all, is not a cheap sport. When Praful first asked to join an academy in Nagpur, his father tried to push him towards studies instead.

But Praful was stubborn. Eventually, his father gave in and enrolled him at Reshimbagh Gymkhana in Nagpur. What followed surprised him. He thought his son would get tired and return home but that never happened. Praful practically made the cricket ground his second home, spending entire days practicing. Over time, it became clear that cricket was not just a hobby for him, it was his life.

Under coach Shishir Sudam, Praful not only improved his skills but also learned discipline and commitment. However, success did not come immediately. In 2015, he failed to get selected in the Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Under-14 trials. It was a tough moment and many expected him to give up. But he didn’t. Instead, he trained even harder and earned a place in the Under-16 team the very next year. From there, he continued performing consistently for Vidarbha, slowly building his career.

His journey was very different from that of his sister who excelled in academics and became a chartered accountant. Praful, on the other hand, had little interest in studies. His focus remained firmly on cricket and with time, his father also began to believe in his path.

Just when things seemed to be falling into place, another challenge appeared. Praful suffered a serious back injury that threatened his career. It was a difficult phase for both him and his family. At that crucial moment, former India pacer Varun Aaron stepped in and guided him towards recovery.

Praful joined the MRF Pace Foundation, where he worked hard to rebuild himself. There, he caught the attention of legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath who saw potential in him. In 2022, Glenn McGrath invited him to Brisbane for a training camp. Spending 20–25 days training at Cricket Australia’s facilities proved to be a turning point. It boosted his confidence and helped him grow as a bowler. That confidence, combined with years of persistence, finally paid off when he was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

For his father, this success is about not just talent but also resilience. He believes that criticism played a big role in shaping Praful’s journey. According to him, people often doubt you until you achieve something big. But those very critics help you find clarity and push you to improve.

Today, Praful has answered all his critics with his performance.

The Hinge family is now receiving countless calls and messages from well-wishers celebrating his success. It is a proud moment, but they remain grounded. They understand that this is just the beginning.

Prakash Hinge knows that cricket is unpredictable. Many players rise quickly and fade just as fast. Thousands of cricketers work hard every day, hoping to secure a place in the playing eleven. Success, he believes, depends on both hard work and a bit of luck.

As the IPL 2026 continues, all eyes will be on Praful Hinge and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Fans are eager to see whether this young pacer can maintain his incredible start and build a long-lasting career.

One thing is certain, his journey from being unsold to becoming a match-winner is already an inspiration.

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