” I Played An Under-23 Game Against Suryavanshi And Got Him Out With A Bouncer, So I Wanted To Test Him Again With That “: Praful Hinge
TATA IPL 2026 Macth 25 April at 7:30 PM, Sunrisers Hyderabad Vs Rajasthan Royals
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s young fast bowler Praful Hinge grabbed attention on his TATA IPL debut by scripting tournament history, taking three wickets in the first over against the Rajasthan Royals. Speaking on ‘JioStar Press Room’, the fearless prodigy looked back at his debut game, weighed in on his plans against Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and reflected on his first interaction with his idol, Pat Cummins.
Speaking on ‘JioStar Press Room’, SRH’s ‘fearless prodigy’ Praful Hinge shared what he was thinking at the top of his mark before bowling his first over on his TATA IPL debut:
“I wasn’t thinking anything specific. I just tried to get the crowd out of my head and stay as calm as possible. The way I bowled in practice, imagining pressure situations, it was about executing those same things in the match. It felt really good after I was able to do all of that.”
On his plans against Vaibhav Suryavanshi:
“I played an Under-23 game against him and got him out with a bouncer there as well. So, I thought that if I bowl a bouncer, he would look to go after me, like he is doing with every bowler at the moment. I wanted to test him again with the bouncer. He tried to hit it but didn’t time it. In the meeting, we had discussed him. I shared my point of view first, then the bowling coach added his inputs. I wanted to bowl to him from round the wicket, but he asked me to go over the wicket for one ball, and I got him out on that very ball. So, both of us were very happy.”
On preparing against big hitters by bowling to the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen in the nets:
“They try to hit every single ball, that’s their playing style, and our team is structured in a way that we have to score big in every match. Even in the nets, they try to put every bowler under pressure, and we bowlers also treat it like a match. We put ourselves in situations where we think, ‘I am bowling to Ishan Kishan, Abhishek, or Klaasen.’ I try to give my best, and they also give their 100 per cent. They will try to hit me for a six, and I try to execute my best ball.”
On his first interaction with his idol Pat Cummins:
“When he came into the camp for the first time, I was very happy because I was seeing him live, face to face, for the first time. I told him, ‘Pat, I am your big fan.’ He responded, ‘Oh, nice, good to hear.’ I told him that since I started playing cricket, I have followed his bowling, watched all his videos, and observed what he does in Test matches, following every ball. Whatever he does in terms of bowling and routines, I try to learn from that. He said, ‘Great, let’s keep working together. When you are bowling, I will be there and help you out.’ That gave me huge encouragement.”
On his manifestation of taking 3-4 wickets in one game and the main goal:
“I had written it down that I would take 3-4 wickets in a match, but I didn’t know it would happen in my debut match itself, so I am very grateful for that. I believe in manifestation, that things like this do happen. I went in thinking I would just enjoy myself, and I am glad it turned out well. Going forward, my only manifestation is to make the team win. Winning the trophy is the main focus, but we don’t think too far ahead. We go one game at a time, plan for each match, perform well, and not think too much about the result. We want to dominate every team and prepare well for each and every opposition player.”
Watch Sunrisers Hyderabad in action against Rajasthan Royals in TATA IPL 2026, April 25, 7:30 PM onwards, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network
