Vidarbha’s Hinge: From Aspiration to IPL Triumph Through Sheer Determination

During the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, Praful Hinge was not at home in Nagpur; he was at a nearby temple watching the bidding. The previous season, although his name was on the auction list, he wasn’t picked. However, this time was different, as Hinge had assured his father it would be.

As the bidding concluded, Hinge didn’t need the delayed stream to confirm the good news—phone calls started pouring in. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) purchased the Vidarbha fast bowler at his base price of Rs. 30 lakh. This moment was especially poignant for Hinge’s family, particularly his father, who had encouraged him to pursue fast bowling.

Recounting his journey, Hinge shared, “When I started at the academy, I wanted to bat, but my father was firm on me being a bowler. Initially, I struggled, but with training, I improved.” The 24-year-old was optimistic that 2026 would be his breakthrough year, having had successful trials with SRH, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans.

Joining the Hyderabad-based team also meant fulfilling his dream of meeting and learning from Australian and SRH captain Pat Cummins. “I’ve followed his career and feel fortunate to play alongside someone of his caliber,” said Hinge.

Since 2022, Hinge has been honing his skills at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai and attended a camp in Brisbane in 2024, marking his first international experience. He expressed hope for more opportunities, wishing one day to play for India. This training proved beneficial for his First-Class debut against Pondicherry later that year.

Hinge reflected on Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy win in 2017–18, which inspired him to aim for inclusion in the squad. In his First-Class career, he has taken 26 wickets in nine games, with an average of 24.84. “Our team has great depth; it’s challenging to break in, but whoever plays performs well,” he noted.

Hinge was also part of Vidarbha’s victorious Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, contributing five wickets in five matches. Notably, against Baroda in Rajkot, where Hardik Pandya scored 133, Hinge held his own, conceding only 47 runs and taking a wicket. After the match, Pandya’s compliment boosted his confidence.

Following the final against Saurashtra in Bengaluru, the team quickly shifted focus to the Ranji Trophy, with a match against Andhra in Anantapur just days away. Although Hinge didn’t play in that match, he remained engaged mentally, analyzing strategies from the sidelines.

Dedicated to continuous improvement, Hinge plans to refine his skills and develop new deliveries like the wobble. “I trust hard work over luck. I’ve worked hard and seen results. If I keep at it, things will fall into place,” he concluded.

Published on January 26, 2026.