Praful Hinge could not have asked for a better start to his IPL journey, delivering a stunning performance that played a decisive role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s important win over Rajasthan Royals on Monday night. At a time when batters have largely dictated terms this season, the young pacer turned the tide instantly, striking three times in his very first over in the league.
Praful Hinge had a debut to remember in IPL on Monday. (AFP)
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He removed the in-form Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks, leaving Rajasthan reeling right at the start. That early burst effectively knocked the momentum out of the Royals and set the tone for the rest of the contest.
The impact of his dream debut was felt beyond the field as well. His Instagram following saw an extraordinary surge of 40x within three hours. From roughly 3,000 followers before the game, the number jumped past 100,000 by the end of the match and continued to climb, crossing 150,000 by the next morning. It underlined how quickly fortunes can change in the IPL, where one standout performance can instantly turn a newcomer into a widely recognised name.
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A memorable first outing saw Praful Hinge return figures of 4/34, playing a key hand in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s commanding 57-run win. The 24-year-old’s early strikes set the tone, earning him the Player of the Match award on debut.
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A memorable first outing saw Praful Hinge return figures of 4/34, playing a key hand in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s commanding 57-run win. The 24-year-old’s early strikes set the tone, earning him the Player of the Match award on debut.
Reflecting on the performance, Hinge spoke about backing his instincts and trusting his preparation. He revealed that he had envisioned such an impact beforehand and was keen to make the most of the powerplay. He also took a moment to credit his family, acknowledging their constant support throughout his journey to this stage.
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"I had written this somewhere that I will take 4-5 wickets on my debut. I thought of dominating the powerplay. I believe in it (manifestation)," Hinge told the broadcaster after the match.
"At the age of 13, I started cricket. Did not know what leather ball cricket was. Asked my father to join a club. But he said I was too young. Then he just took me there, and I kept playing after it. Want to dedicate this award to my family," he added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Praful Hinge’s popularity surges nearly 40x within three hours of IPL debut: See visual proof
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