Praful Hinge was born on January 18, 2002, and 24 years old as 2026. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Nagpur drew major attention during the 2026 Indian Premier League after a remarkable debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad. he is Height, 5’10” (approx.) ; Weight, 70–75 kg .
Before his IPL breakthrough, Praful Hinge had already spent years working through Vidarbha’s domestic cricket system. His journey included age-group cricket, technical changes, injury recovery, professional pace training and a growing record in first-class and limited-overs cricket. His progress shows how much patience and discipline can matter in professional sport.he is net worth ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore (USD 0.12–0.25 million).
Hinge became widely known on April 13, 2026, when he made his IPL debut against Rajasthan Royals. He took three wickets in his first over and finished the match with four wickets for 34 runs. The opening over became one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 IPL season.
His story, however, started long before that famous night in Hyderabad.
Who Is Praful Hinge?
Praful Hinge is an Indian professional cricketer from Nagpur, Maharashtra. He plays as a right-arm medium-fast bowler and has represented Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
According to current player profiles, his full name is Praful Prakash Hinge. He was born in January 2002 in Nagpur. His cricket career began with a different role in mind. Like many young players, he initially worked as a batter before moving toward fast bowling. That change became a major part of his cricket story.
His domestic career began to gain attention during his time with Vidarbha. He later progressed into senior cricket and made his first-class debut in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.
By 2026, Hinge had become a member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad. The franchise bought him for ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. He then turned that opportunity into a memorable debut.
Praful Hinge Profile at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Praful Prakash Hinge |
| Birth date | January 18, 2002 |
| Birthplace | Nagpur, Maharashtra, India |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Bowling style | Right-arm medium-fast |
| Main role | Bowler |
| Domestic team | Vidarbha |
| IPL team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| IPL jersey | No. 33 according to SRH |
| IPL 2026 auction price | ₹30 lakh |
| First-class debut | Vidarbha, 2024-25 season |
| Famous IPL performance | 4/34 vs Rajasthan Royals |
Player information is based on current profiles from NDTV Sports, IPL, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Some databases list his birth date as January 18, while the SRH profile displays January 20, so the January 2002 birth year is more consistent across major player records.
Praful Hinge Early Life and Cricket Background
Praful Hinge was born and raised in Nagpur, a city with a strong cricket culture and a major connection to Vidarbha cricket.
His early cricket path was not that of a player who was immediately famous across India. He had to work through local and regional levels before reaching professional cricket. Reports about his early years describe a young player who was deeply committed to training and was willing to make sacrifices for cricket.
One of the most interesting parts of his early development was his change from batting to bowling.
From Batter to Fast Bowler
Hinge did not begin his cricket journey as a specialist fast bowler. His father encouraged him to consider bowling, and over time he started focusing more seriously on pace bowling.
That change proved important.
Fast bowling requires a very different physical and technical approach from batting. A young bowler must learn how to control his run-up, release point, body position, landing and follow-through. Hinge had to build those skills while also dealing with the demands placed on a developing body.
His progress through Vidarbha’s cricket system gave him an opportunity to work on those areas.
Learning to Control His Bowling Action
One of the challenges Hinge faced as a young bowler was his bowling action. Reports have described a period when his action was considered illegal, forcing him to work on his technique.
Instead of treating the problem as the end of his cricket ambitions, he worked to correct it.
That process is important when understanding Praful Hinge’s later success. His bowling was not simply based on natural pace. It developed through repeated technical work and coaching.
A fast bowler needs a repeatable action. Without one, pace can become difficult to control and injuries can become more likely. Hinge’s later work on his bowling mechanics helped him develop a more reliable method.
Praful Hinge and Vidarbha Cricket
Vidarbha has become one of India’s strongest domestic cricket sides over the past decade. Its success has created a strong pathway for young players who want to reach the Ranji Trophy and eventually the IPL.
Hinge came through this system.
His rise was gradual rather than instant. He gained experience in age-group cricket before moving toward senior domestic cricket.
The 2023-24 CK Nayudu Trophy
One of the early signs of Hinge’s potential came during the 2023-24 CK Nayudu Trophy.
He reportedly took 26 wickets at an average of 19.03 during the competition. Those numbers helped him gain attention as a promising young pace bowler.
The CK Nayudu Trophy is an important development competition for young Indian cricketers. Strong performances there can help players move toward senior domestic cricket.
For Hinge, that progression eventually happened.
First-Class Debut for Vidarbha
Praful Hinge made his first-class debut for Vidarbha against Puducherry during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.
The Ranji Trophy is one of the toughest domestic competitions in Indian cricket. Matches are played over several days, which tests a bowler’s fitness, patience and ability to maintain a consistent line and length.
Hinge’s first-class career gave him the chance to learn how to bowl long spells rather than relying only on short bursts.
This experience later helped him become a more complete bowler.
Praful Hinge’s Development at the MRF Pace Foundation
Fast bowling is one of the most physically demanding roles in cricket. A young bowler can have natural speed, but professional success also requires strength, balance, recovery and technical discipline.
Hinge spent time at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where his development received specialist attention.
India Today reported that Hinge arrived at the foundation with a back injury and initially went through rehabilitation rather than immediately returning to full bowling. The work focused not just on recovery but also on understanding the reasons behind the physical problem.
This period was an important part of his career.
Recovering From Injury
Back injuries can be serious for fast bowlers because bowling places repeated stress on the lower back.
Hinge’s rehabilitation involved physical work and technical changes. The aim was to help him return to bowling in a safer and more repeatable way.
The process also exposed him to high-level coaching.
The MRF Pace Foundation has trained many Indian fast bowlers over the years. Hinge’s time there helped him sharpen his technique and improve his understanding of fast bowling.
Learning From Experienced Coaches
Hinge’s development at the MRF Pace Foundation included guidance from experienced coaches and former international players.
India Today reported that former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath was involved in the wider development environment at the foundation.
For a young Indian fast bowler, exposure to people who understand international-level pace bowling can be valuable.
The lessons are not limited to bowling faster.
They can include:
- How to build a repeatable run-up
- How to hit a strong length
- How to use the crease
- How to plan against different batters
- How to manage workload
- How to recover after matches
- How to use bounce on different pitches
These details helped Hinge become more than a bowler who simply relies on speed.
Praful Hinge’s 2025-26 Domestic Breakthrough
The 2025-26 domestic season was a major period in Praful Hinge’s rise.
He played across different domestic competitions for Vidarbha and produced useful bowling performances.
Current IPL player data lists him with 16 wickets in 10 first-class matches, five wickets in six List A matches and 15 wickets across eight T20 matches before separating his IPL record.
His first-class record was notable for control. During the 2025 Ranji Trophy season listed in current databases, he took 16 wickets at an economy rate of 3.29, with best innings figures of 4/60.
Ranji Trophy Performances
Hinge’s Ranji Trophy performances showed that he could handle the longer format.
He took 3/41 against Odisha in November 2025, a performance highlighted by the BCCI’s official video coverage.
He also produced a 4/60 performance against Tamil Nadu during the same period. His ability to take wickets without giving away large numbers of runs helped him gain more recognition within domestic cricket.
For a young fast bowler, this kind of consistency can be just as valuable as one spectacular spell.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Hinge also appeared in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s major domestic T20 competition.
He made his senior T20 debut for Vidarbha against Andhra and recorded figures of 1/23.
T20 cricket placed new demands on his bowling.
Instead of simply bowling long spells, he had to learn how to attack batters in a limited number of deliveries. This meant using variations in length, pace and field placement.
That experience would become useful when he entered the IPL.
Vijay Hazare Trophy
Hinge was also part of Vidarbha’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.
Current IPL data records five wickets for him in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, with best figures of 2/54 and an economy rate of 6.07.
The competition gave him further experience in List A cricket and helped him build a broader domestic résumé.
Praful Hinge and the IPL 2026 Auction
The IPL auction changed the scale of attention around Hinge.
Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him for ₹30 lakh at the 2026 auction. He had gone unsold in the previous auction, making the later selection an important second opportunity.
For an emerging domestic player, an IPL contract can provide access to stronger competition, better facilities and experienced international teammates.
But selection alone does not guarantee playing time.
Hinge first had to wait for his opportunity.
That opportunity arrived against Rajasthan Royals.
Praful Hinge’s Historic IPL Debut
April 13, 2026, became the biggest date in Praful Hinge’s career.
Sunrisers Hyderabad faced Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Hinge was given his IPL debut.
What followed was extraordinary.
Three Wickets in the First Over
Hinge dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in his first over.
All three were dismissed for ducks, putting Rajasthan under enormous pressure almost immediately.
The performance was historic.
Hinge became the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in the opening over of an innings. The feat was widely reported as a record-breaking debut moment.
The first wicket was also notable because Hinge had planned to use a bouncer against young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
He executed the plan successfully.
Hinge’s First IPL Over
| Ball outcome | Batter | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery 1 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Wicket |
| Delivery 2 | Rajasthan batting | Dot/continuation |
| Delivery 3 | Dhruv Jurel | Wicket |
| Delivery 4 | Rajasthan batting | Legal delivery |
| Delivery 5 | Lhuan-dre Pretorius | Wicket |
| Delivery 6 | Rajasthan batting | Over completed |
The exact ball-by-ball sequence can vary slightly across scorecard presentations, but the major record is clear: Hinge took three wickets in his opening IPL over.
His final figures were 4/34.
A Four-Wicket Debut
Hinge did not stop after his remarkable first over.
He returned later and removed Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag, giving him four wickets in his first IPL appearance.
His final bowling figures:
| Statistic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4 |
| Runs conceded | 34 |
| Wickets | 4 |
| Best figures | 4/34 |
| Opposition | Rajasthan Royals |
| Competition | IPL 2026 |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium |
The performance immediately changed public interest in the player.
A bowler who had been largely unknown to the wider cricket audience became one of the most discussed new faces of the IPL.
Why Praful Hinge’s IPL Debut Was So Important
Taking four wickets on an IPL debut is impressive by itself.
Taking three wickets in the first over makes the performance far more unusual.
The importance of Hinge’s debut also comes from the context.
Rajasthan Royals had several talented young and established batters. Hinge was not a famous international bowler entering the match with years of IPL experience. He was a domestic cricketer receiving his first major opportunity.
He responded with aggression and clear planning.
Confidence Under Pressure
Fast bowling in the IPL can be difficult because every mistake is watched by millions of people.
A bowler can be hit for a six and quickly lose confidence.
Hinge showed the opposite response.
He attacked the batters and trusted his plans.
His performance suggested that he was comfortable bowling to high-level players.
Planning Against Young Batters
The plan against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was also revealing.
India Today reported that Hinge had said he planned to bowl a bouncer to the young batter.
The ability to plan for a batter before the delivery is an important part of professional bowling.
It shows that Hinge was not simply reacting to the match.
He was thinking about how a particular batter could be dismissed.
Praful Hinge’s Bowling Style
Hinge is described as a right-arm medium-fast bowler.
His style has been associated with hitting the pitch hard and generating bounce. His preparation at the MRF Pace Foundation also helped him improve the technical side of his bowling.
Hit-the-Deck Bowling
A hit-the-deck bowler aims to land the ball on a good length with enough pace to make the batter uncomfortable.
The ball can rise sharply from the pitch.
This can be effective against batters who prefer front-foot shots.
Hinge’s natural ability to generate bounce makes this approach useful.
Movement Through the Air
Hinge can also use movement in the air.
Swing bowling becomes more effective when the bowler maintains a strong wrist position and releases the ball consistently.
His IPL debut showed how movement and bounce can work together.
Pace and Length
A fast bowler does not need to bowl at maximum speed on every delivery.
Good pace combined with accurate length can be more difficult for batters to handle.
Hinge’s development has focused on this balance.
Praful Hinge Career Stats
Statistics can change as a player’s career continues, so current figures should always be checked against live scorecards.
The current IPL player database lists Hinge with 14 wickets from seven IPL matches in 2026, with best figures of 4/34.
His wider records provide useful context.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-class | 10 | 27 | 4/60 | 2.85 |
| List A | 6 | 5 | 2/54 | 6.06 |
| T20 | 8 | 15 | 4/34 | 10.93 |
| IPL | 7 | 14 | 4/34 | 11.73 |
These figures are based on current database records and may change as competitions continue.
There is an important lesson in these numbers.
Hinge’s first-class economy rate is far lower than his T20 economy rate. That is normal because T20 cricket encourages batters to attack and requires bowlers to take greater risks.
His T20 role is centered more on taking wickets than simply protecting runs.
Praful Hinge in the 2026 IPL Season
The IPL 2026 season was the point when Hinge moved from domestic prospect to nationally recognized player.
His 14 wickets in seven matches, according to the current IPL database, show that his debut was not a one-match story.
His best performance remained the 4/34 against Rajasthan Royals.
The 2026 season also gave him experience against some of the strongest batters in world cricket.
That experience can help a young bowler improve quickly.
Learning From IPL Batters
Domestic cricket prepares a player for professional cricket.
The IPL adds another level.
Hinge had to bowl against batters who can score boundaries from almost any length. He also had to adjust to changing conditions, tactical timeouts and pressure situations.
This experience should be valuable for his future.
Praful Hinge and Vidarbha’s Cricket Culture
Hinge’s success is also part of Vidarbha’s broader cricket story.
Vidarbha has developed a strong domestic cricket structure and has produced players who have gone on to represent India and IPL teams.
The region’s success in domestic competitions has helped create greater confidence among younger players.
For Hinge, playing for Vidarbha gave him a professional environment in which he could develop.
Why Domestic Cricket Matters
The IPL often receives more attention than domestic cricket, but domestic competitions remain the foundation for most Indian players.
Ranji Trophy cricket teaches bowlers how to maintain discipline over long spells.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy develops List A skills.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy introduces players to high-pressure T20 cricket.
Hinge’s career has included all three.
That makes his rise more interesting than a sudden IPL appearance.
Praful Hinge’s Training and Fitness
Fast bowling places major demands on the body.
A bowler needs strong legs, hips, core muscles and back support.
Recovery is also essential.
Hinge’s experience with back rehabilitation is therefore an important part of his career. India Today reported that his time at the MRF Pace Foundation included rehabilitation before he returned fully to bowling.
Professional cricket is not just about bowling during matches.
A large amount of work happens away from the stadium.
Training Areas for a Fast Bowler
A player such as Hinge typically needs to work on:
- Running strength
- Lower-body power
- Core stability
- Shoulder strength
- Bowling mechanics
- Sprint ability
- Mobility
- Recovery
- Match workload
- Nutrition and sleep
Managing these areas can help a fast bowler maintain performance over a long season.
Praful Hinge’s Batting Ability
Although bowling is his main role, Hinge is also a right-handed batter.
His batting numbers remain modest because his primary responsibility is bowling.
Current IPL data lists only a small number of professional batting opportunities, which is normal for a specialist bowler.
However, lower-order batting can still be useful.
A bowler who can contribute a few runs can give a team more flexibility.
For Hinge, bowling remains the area where his greatest impact is expected.
What Makes Praful Hinge Interesting for Indian Cricket?
Several parts of Hinge’s story make him worth following.
First, he has experience across multiple formats.
Second, he has already shown that he can perform under IPL pressure.
Third, his development included specialist pace coaching.
Fourth, he has experience recovering from injury.
Finally, his age gives him time to continue improving.
At 24 in 2026, Hinge is still at an early stage of his senior career.
He has already reached the IPL, but there is plenty of room for growth.
Challenges Praful Hinge May Face
A successful debut can create huge expectations.
This is one of the biggest challenges for a young player.
After taking four wickets on debut, every future match is likely to receive greater attention.
Handling Expectations
A bowler cannot take four wickets in every match.
Learning to handle those situations is part of becoming a long-term professional.
Managing Workload
Fast bowlers also need careful workload management.
Hinge has played first-class, List A, domestic T20 and IPL cricket.
Playing across formats can increase physical demands.
His previous back problem makes sensible workload planning even more important.
Improving Death Bowling
T20 cricket requires bowlers to perform at the death.
Batters are often willing to attack every ball during the final overs.
A young fast bowler can improve by developing yorkers, slower balls, wide lines and changes of pace.
Continued work in these areas could make Hinge a more complete T20 bowler.
Praful Hinge’s Record-Breaking IPL Moment
The three wickets in his first over will remain one of the defining moments of his early career.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s official profile describes him as the only IPL bowler to have taken three wickets in the opening over of an innings.
The achievement is unusual because an opening over normally gives the bowler only six legal deliveries.
Taking three wickets in that small window requires accuracy, attacking intent and a little fortune.
Hinge had all three.
Praful Hinge’s Place in Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad has often invested in attacking fast bowling.
The franchise has worked with several international and Indian pace bowlers over the years.
Hinge’s arrival gave the team another Indian pace option.
His ability to hit the pitch and attack the top order made him useful in situations where the team needed early wickets.
The IPL environment also gives him access to experienced players and coaches.
This can support his continued development.
Praful Hinge’s Career Timeline
| Year | Career development |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Born in Nagpur |
| 2023-24 | Strong CK Nayudu Trophy campaign |
| 2024 | First-class pathway with Vidarbha |
| 2024-25 | Ranji Trophy debut |
| 2025 | Senior T20 experience |
| 2025-26 | Strong domestic season across formats |
| Dec 2025 | Signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹30 lakh |
| Apr 2026 | Historic IPL debut against Rajasthan Royals |
| 2026 | Continued IPL and domestic cricket appearances |
The timeline shows that Hinge’s rise was built over several seasons rather than happening overnight.
Lessons From Praful Hinge’s Journey
Praful Hinge’s story offers several lessons for young cricketers.
Patience Matters
Hinge did not become an IPL player immediately.
He spent years working through domestic cricket.
Young players often compare themselves with others, but cricket careers develop at different speeds.
Technical Work Matters
His transition from batting to bowling and later work on his bowling action show why technical coaching can matter.
Natural talent is useful, but it needs structure.
Setbacks Do Not Have to End a Career
His back injury was a difficult period.
Instead of giving up, he went through rehabilitation and returned to competitive cricket.
That experience may have helped him become more disciplined about preparation.
Opportunities Must Be Used
When Hinge finally received his IPL chance, he made an immediate impact.
That does not mean every player will produce four wickets on debut.
But it does show the value of being ready when an opportunity arrives.
What Could Be Next for Praful Hinge?
The next stage of Hinge’s career will likely involve consistency.
His debut created attention.
His domestic record created credibility.
Now the challenge is to keep performing.
For a fast bowler, long-term success comes from repeating good performances across different pitches and conditions.
Hinge can continue working on his control, fitness, variations and tactical understanding.
If he maintains his progress, he could become a regular part of India’s wider fast-bowling pool.
That possibility should not be treated as a prediction of international selection. India has many talented fast bowlers, and selection depends on performance, fitness, team requirements and competition for places.
Still, his early record gives him a strong platform.
Praful Hinge: A Rising Name to Watch
Praful Hinge’s journey from Nagpur to the IPL is a story of gradual development.
He started as a young cricketer with ambitions but had to learn how to turn those ambitions into professional skills.
Then, on April 13, 2026, he produced one of the most memorable bowling debuts in IPL history.
Three wickets in the first over.
Four wickets in the match.
A record that instantly introduced his name to millions of cricket fans.
Yet the most interesting part of Praful Hinge’s story may be what comes after that debut.
The first performance created the spotlight.
The next several seasons will show how he handles it.
Conclusion
Praful Hinge has quickly become one of the more interesting young Indian fast bowlers to watch. Born in Nagpur, he developed through Vidarbha cricket and worked his way from youth cricket into senior domestic competitions. His move from batting toward fast bowling helped shape the career that later brought him to the IPL.
His domestic record shows steady progress. He has played first-class, List A and T20 cricket for Vidarbha, gaining experience in different match conditions. His work at the MRF Pace Foundation also played a significant part in his development, with rehabilitation and technical training helping him return from a back problem and improve his bowling method.
The biggest moment came in the 2026 IPL. Sunrisers Hyderabad bought Hinge for ₹30 lakh, and when he received his chance against Rajasthan Royals, he produced an extraordinary performance. He took three wickets in his first over and finished with 4/34. The opening-over spell made him the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in that stage of an innings.
Current IPL records list him with 14 wickets from seven IPL matches in 2026, while his wider domestic record includes 27 first-class wickets and 15 T20 wickets in the records currently available.
Still, Praful Hinge’s career is only beginning. His next challenge is not simply to repeat one famous performance. It is to remain fit, improve his T20 skills, manage his workload and produce reliable performances over many seasons.
For cricket fans, his journey is worth following because it combines domestic cricket, specialist fast-bowling development, resilience after injury and a remarkable IPL breakthrough. Praful Hinge has already created a memorable first chapter. The next chapters will depend on how well he continues to learn, train and perform.
FAQs About Praful Hinge
Who is Praful Hinge?
Praful Hinge is an Indian right-arm medium-fast bowler from Nagpur, Maharashtra. He represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
When did Praful Hinge make his IPL debut?
Praful Hinge made his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals on April 13, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
How many wickets did Praful Hinge take on his IPL debut?
He took four wickets for 34 runs. His first over was historic because he dismissed three Rajasthan Royals batters.
What is Praful Hinge’s bowling style?
Praful Hinge is a right-arm medium-fast bowler. His bowling is associated with hitting the pitch hard, generating bounce and using movement to challenge batters.
Which IPL team does Praful Hinge play for?
Praful Hinge plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The franchise signed him for ₹30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction.
