Praful Hinge Creates IPL History with Sensational Debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad
In a stunning display of fast bowling, 24-year-old pacer Praful Hinge from Vidarbha turned hero overnight on his Indian Premier League debut. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hinge achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first bowler in IPL history to claim three wickets in the very first over of a match.
Historic First Over Decimates Rajasthan Royals
Facing the Rajasthan Royals, Hinge unleashed a devastating opening spell that immediately put Sunrisers Hyderabad in command. In his debut over, he dismissed dangerous opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, followed by Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, reducing the Royals to a precarious 3/1. The collapse continued as captain Riyan Parag fell to Abhishek Sharma at slip, leaving the Royals reeling at 9/5.
Hinge finished with impressive figures of 4/34, playing a pivotal role in Sunrisers Hyderabad's comfortable 57-run victory. His performance not only secured the win but also etched his name in the IPL record books with that unprecedented first-over hat-trick of wickets.
Family Pride and Emotional Reactions
Praful's father, Prakash Hinge, expressed overwhelming joy from their home in Nagpur. "We are simply delighted. We were glued to the television throughout the match," said the retired Maharashtra Electricity department employee. "When someone plays their first match and performs so exceptionally well while helping their team win, what more could we possibly ask for? He has created an IPL record with those three wickets in his very first over."
Prakash also acknowledged the crucial role played by the MRF Pace Foundation and SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron in reviving his son's career after injury setbacks. "The MRF foundation and Varun sir deserve tremendous credit for his performance today. Praful suffered an injury a couple of years ago, but they helped revive his career completely," he revealed, noting that his son had thanked them personally after the match.
Coach's Planning and Player's Confidence
On Monday, Hinge himself credited bowling coach Varun Aaron for strategic planning. "I told people beforehand that I would bowl a bouncer to Sooryavanshi and get him out. Varun helped me plan this approach, so I must thank him sincerely," he told broadcasters.
The young pacer also displayed remarkable confidence, revealing he had predicted his success. "I had written somewhere that I would take 4-5 wickets on my debut. I aimed to dominate the Powerplay overs completely," Hinge stated, dedicating his achievement to his family.
Childhood Development and Family Support
Praful's childhood coach, Shishir Madhavrao Sudame from Nagpur's Reshimbagh Cricket Academy, shared insights into the bowler's development. "When he joined our academy around age 11 or 12, he was lean but had good height that naturally aided his bowling. He possesses excellent action, follow-through, and genuine pace," Sudame recalled.
The coach also highlighted the family's journey, noting that coming from a middle-class background, father Prakash occasionally worried about his son's future and education. "I reassured him, 'Don't worry. We're going to make him a cricketer, not a doctor or engineer.' Interestingly, Prakash wanted Praful to focus on batting too, but since bowling was his primary strength, I advised Praful to concentrate on big hitting for his lower-order batting role," Sudame explained.
Hinge's hard work paid dividends through consistent performances in Vidarbha's U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories, eventually earning him a spot in the state U-19 team.
Future Aspirations and National Dreams
The 58-year-old Prakash Hinge dreams of seeing his son represent India at the highest level. "That would be a dream for any parent, but it's not just our aspiration—Praful himself dreams of wearing the Indian team jersey. We hope whenever he gets an opportunity to play for any team, he continues to perform with this same dedication," he said emotionally.
Coach Sudame emphasized the significance of this IPL opportunity. "Getting to play alongside such established bowlers is a tremendous opportunity. Praful was confident that whenever he got his chance, he would make the most of it, and he certainly proved that in this match. While he has been performing for Vidarbha, the IPL presents a completely different challenge. Hopefully, this performance will elevate his career to new heights," he concluded optimistically.
Reflecting on his cricket beginnings, Hinge shared, "At age 13, I started playing cricket without knowing what leather ball cricket even was. I asked my father to join a club, but he thought I was too young initially. Eventually, he took me there, and I just kept playing ever since."
This historic debut has not only secured a crucial victory for Sunrisers Hyderabad but has also announced Praful Hinge as a promising new talent in Indian cricket, with his record-breaking achievement likely to be remembered throughout IPL history.
