Sunrisers Hyderabad made 216/6, then bowled Rajasthan Royals out for 159, sealing a comfortable 57-run victory in the match.
From nets to match-winner: Praful Hinge forces his way into SRH plans
India’s depth in fast bowling is often discussed, rarely proven this quickly. Praful Hinge has done that in one night. He was not even in the initial conversation at the toss. Later brought in as an impact option, he made sure he could not be ignored again. From tennis-ball cricket to the leather ball, it’s all about Praful, for the first time in IPL history, a bowler has taken three wickets in the very first over of a match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad had spoken about scouting before the season, led by Varun Arun. It took a few matches, but this is what that work looks like when it comes off.
Hinge’s journey is not straight. Limited chances with Vidarbha despite solid numbers. Time at the MRF Pace Foundation. A stint in Brisbane. Nets with Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson. Trials with multiple IPL teams. Picked for ₹30 lakh. Watching the auction from a temple in Nagpur.
All of that builds a story. But IPL asks a different question. Can you deliver now?
He did. Three wickets in the first over. Not just wickets, but top-order players trying to attack a big chase. It is the first instance of a bowler taking three wickets in the opening over of an IPL innings. He finished with 4 for 34. Game effectively done early.
As they say, Good batters bring excitement, quality bowlers bring confidence. SRH had control inside six overs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 216/6, powered by a strong knock from Ishan Kishan 91 runs, before bowling Rajasthan Royals out for 159 to seal a comfortable 57-run win.
Debut day impact: Hussain joins in as RR collapse and recover falls short
It was not just Hinge. Another debutant, Sakib Hussain, struck from the other end. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early. Later, Hussain returned to break the game open again, removing Donovan Ferreira with a slower ball after a strong stand.
RR were 9 for 5. From there, Ravindra Jadeja and Ferreira rebuilt with 118 runs in 72 balls, the second-best partnership for the sixth wicket or lower in IPL history. Ferreira made 69 off 44, Jadeja 45 off 32. They delayed the result, not changed it.
Hussain finished with 4 for 24. He even combined with Hinge for a dismissal, Archer falling to a plan that was read and executed well. SRH’s bowling coach Varun Arun had reason to smile. The scouting call, questioned earlier, now looks clear.