At a glance
- Praful Hinge stars with 4 for 34 on IPL debut
- Credits Pat Cummins for guidance and confidence boost
- Focus remains on helping Sunrisers Hyderabad chase the title
Praful Hinge’s arrival on the Indian Premier League stage has quickly become one of the early talking points of the 2026 season, and the young Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer is already drawing strength from an unlikely source of calm guidance, his captain and long time idol Pat Cummins.
The 24-year-old made an immediate impression in his first outing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, producing a spell that turned heads across the league.
Facing a formidable Rajasthan Royals batting line-up, Hinge dismantled the top order with remarkable poise, returning figures of 4 for 34 in 4 overs and setting up a commanding 57-run victory for his side.
Praful Hinge Reflects on Meeting Idol Pat Cummins
For Praful Hinge, sharing a dressing room with Cummins was more than just another professional milestone. It was a personal moment years in the making.
Having studied the Australian captain’s craft in detail, the young seamer finally found himself face-to-face with the player he had long admired from afar.
Speaking in the JioStar Press Room, Hinge recalled that first interaction with a mix of excitement and honesty:
“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 went on to explain how closely he had followed Cummins’ methods over the years:
“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.”
The response from Cummins was simple but telling, and it quickly turned admiration into mentorship:
“He said, great, let us keep working together. When you are bowling, I will be there and help you out.”
That reassurance, Hinge admitted, provided a significant boost to his confidence at a crucial stage of his career.
Praful Hinge Backs Belief After Dream Debut
Hinge’s performance against Rajasthan did not come entirely out of the blue. The pacer revealed that he had visualised such an outing, even noting down his goal of taking 3 to 4 wickets in a match.
Reflecting on that belief, he said:
“I had written it down that I would take 3 to 4 wickets in a match, but I did not know it would happen in my debut match itself, so I am very grateful for that.”
That clarity of thought translated into a fearless approach on the field. He attacked the stumps, trusted his preparation and embraced the occasion.
“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.”
Focus on Consistency as IPL Journey Continues
Despite the early success, Hinge’s focus remains firmly on the collective goal as Sunrisers Hyderabad push forward in IPL 2026.
“Going forward, my only manifestation is to make the team win. Winning the trophy is the main focus, but we do not think too far ahead.”
He added:
“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.”
The journey, however, has already shown its share of fluctuations. In the following game against Chennai Super Kings, Hinge returned figures of 1 for 60 in 4 overs and was later left out of the XI against Delhi Capitals.
For now, Praful Hinge remains one of the breakout names of the season, combining raw pace with belief, and guided by a captain whose influence is already shaping a promising career.
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