The IPL 2026 season continues with an important match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings in New Chandigarh. One of the big talking points before the match is the debut of a young fast bowler from Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Praful Hinge, a 24-year-old pacer, is set to play his first IPL match for SRH. The team management confirmed his inclusion in the playing setup, making him one of the new faces to watch in the tournament.
Praful Hinge Set for IPL Debut
Praful Hinge is a fast bowler from Vidarbha who has been developing his skills through domestic cricket and training programs.
Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him in the IPL auction at his base price of INR 30 lakh. The team management believes he can add pace and energy to the bowling attack.
Hinge has also trained at the well-known MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai since 2022. In 2024, he spent around 15 days in Brisbane as part of a development camp to improve his bowling skills.
Praful Hinge Domestic Cricket Record
Although his T20 experience is limited, Hinge has performed well in longer formats of domestic cricket.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class | 10 | 27 | 26.66 |
| List A | 6 | 5 | — |
| T20 | 1 | 1 | — |
These numbers show that he is still early in his career but has already shown good potential as a fast bowler.
Match Context: PBKS vs SRH IPL 2026
The 17th match of IPL 2026 features Punjab Kings facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Punjab Kings have started the season well. They have won two of their first three matches. Their previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out due to rain, so both teams shared a point.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have had a mixed start. The team has managed only one win from three matches so far and currently sits in sixth position on the points table.
With regular captain Pat Cummins unavailable, Ishan Kishan has been leading the team in this phase of the tournament.
Also See : Rohit Sharma Celebrates 15 Years With Mumbai Indians, Shares Emotional Message in IPL 2026
Changes in SRH Playing XI
Sunrisers Hyderabad made two changes to their lineup for this match.
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| Salil replaces | Liam Livingstone |
| Praful Hinge replaces | Jaydev Unadkat |
These changes show that the team is trying new options to strengthen its bowling attack.
Praful Hinge is expected to bowl with pace and provide early breakthroughs against the Punjab Kings batting lineup.
Praful Hinge’s Cricket Journey
Praful Hinge represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket and has built his reputation as a hardworking fast bowler.
His training at the MRF Pace Foundation has helped him improve his speed, control, and bowling technique. Coaches believe he has the ability to develop into a strong fast bowler with more experience.
The short training camp in Brisbane also gave him exposure to international coaching methods and different playing conditions.
Making an IPL debut is always a big moment for any cricketer. For Praful Hinge, this match is a chance to show his talent on one of the biggest stages in T20 cricket.
Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how the young pacer handles the pressure of his first IPL match.
If he performs well, it could open more opportunities for him in future IPL matches and possibly at higher levels of cricket.
