Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) introduced a new face in their playing eleven during their ipl 2026 The match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium. All eyes were on the 24 year old fast bowler Prafull HingE, who was handed his first IPL cap in place of veteran seamer Jaydev Unadkat.
Meet Prafulla Hinge: SRH’s new debutant in IPL 2026
Hailing from Nagpur and representing Vidarbha in domestic cricket, Prafulla has made his reputation through consistent performance and perseverance.
Interestingly, his journey in cricket was not straightforward. His father was initially reluctant to take his sport seriously. It took a summer camp trial to change that perception. Soon after, at the age of 16, Hinz joined the Vidarbha Cricket Association Academy, where he trained under coach Sanjeev. His progress was evident from the start, especially during the Under-19 trials, where he took an impressive 36 wickets – a performance that marked him out as a promising talent.
“That journey of self-improvement and discipline laid the foundation of his professional career. Over time, he improved his action, built stamina and developed into a dependable right-arm medium-fast bowler capable of performing well under pressure.
Domestic upliftment, family support and IPL success
Prafulla’s IPL debut has been backed by good performances in domestic cricket. He made his first-class debut for Vidarbha in October 2024 and soon made his List A debut in January 2025. In just 10 first-class matches, he has taken 27 wickets at an average of 26.7, including an extraordinary five-wicket haul (5/55). His ability to maintain discipline and bowl long spells has made him a valuable asset to his state team.
He also played a key role in Vidarbha’s historic Vijay Hazare Trophy win, taking five wickets in five matches. These performances attracted the attention of IPL scouts, eventually earning him a contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Unlike many players who closely follow the IPL auction, Prafulla had a more spiritual approach towards the big moment. He was in a temple in Nagpur when his name came up during the bidding process. SRH secured his services at the base price of ₹30 lakh, making it a deeply emotional moment for him and his family.
Behind his success is a strong support system, especially his sister, a chartered accountant, who played a vital role in his journey. From driving her to practice sessions to managing her studies late at night, her sacrifices have played a vital role in shaping her career.
Prafulla has also invested heavily in improving his art. From 2022 onwards, he is training at the renowned MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, a center of fast bowling excellence. In 2024, he attended a short training camp in Brisbane, where he got the opportunity to bowl with international stars like Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson. Now, sharing the dressing room with Australian captain Pat Cummins at SRH is an absolute moment for the young fast bowler.
As Prafulla takes the field in the orange jersey, his journey stands as a testament to perseverance, sacrifice and faith. His debut is not only a personal milestone but also an inspiring reminder that with dedication and the right support, dreams in the IPL can indeed become reality.
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