New Delhi, April 14: In the 21st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fast bowler Prabhull Hinge made a remarkable debut, claiming three wickets in his very first over. Throughout the match, Hinge took four wickets while conceding just 34 runs, earning him the title of ‘Player of the Match’ for his outstanding performance.
Reflecting on his cricketing journey during an interview on ‘JioHotstar’s’ ‘Tata IPL: Dream On’, Prabhull recalled how he expressed his desire to play cricket to his father when he was in sixth grade. His father advised him to wait a year, stating he was too young at the time. However, he did provide Prabhull with a bat to play with a tennis ball.
Unfamiliar with playing with a season ball, Prabhull’s father enrolled him in a summer camp after his exams the following year.
“I dedicated myself fully and played a lot. That’s when I learned that to bowl fast, I had to rotate my arm. I wasn’t aware of this before. Two months later, my father told me, ‘It’s up to you whether you want to continue or not.’ I replied, ‘I want to play.’ He advised me to balance school, studies, and cricket, and I was ready to do whatever it took. On the first day, he dropped me off at the club, and from then on, I went by myself. He only came when fees needed to be paid, but his support was always there,” Prabhull shared.
For two years, Prabhull received calls from the MRF Pace Academy, but he did not attend. Unfortunately, when he finally decided to go, he suffered an injury. The physiotherapist, Naveen Babu, diagnosed him with a stress fracture in his back. His recovery was closely monitored, but those seven to eight months were quite challenging.
Prabhull had to miss a season but returned strong, taking over 25 wickets in the Under-23 season. He also participated in the Emerging India camp. When he attended the MRF Academy, he learned that two players are sent to Australia each year. Eager to go, he performed well in the domestic season and fulfilled his dream.
“Bowling in Australia was an incredible experience. I’m a huge fan of Josh Hazlewood, so meeting him was special. I also met Jhye Richardson and asked him about fitness, managing oneself during the season, training routines, diet, and other aspects. It was a significant learning experience for me,” Prabhull explained.
Recalling his encounter with Hardik Pandya during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Prabhull admitted he was nervous bowling to such a renowned batsman. However, after the first ball, his anxiety faded. “I reminded myself to bowl without unnecessary pressure. I kept telling myself to deliver my best ball each time. Yorkers are my favorite deliveries, and I’ve practiced them the most. I bowled good yorkers and mixed in a few bouncers. After taking a run, he came up to me and said, ‘Prabhull bhai, great bowling.’ That boosted my confidence significantly. After the match, he told me, ‘You’re doing great, keep it up. I’ll see you in the IPL,'” he recounted.
Regarding his selection by SRH in the IPL 2026 auction, Prabhull expressed his excitement. “I felt great. I wasn’t home during the auction. As I was about to arrive home, my phone and everyone else’s started ringing, and I realized I had been picked. When I got home, I saw all my friends and siblings gathered there. My parents were very happy too.”
Prabhull mentioned that he did not prepare specifically for IPL 2026. Whenever he watches a match, he asks himself what he would do in that situation.
“Even if it’s a World Cup match and I’m imagining bowling to the best batsman on the opposing team, I think about my strategy. My primary goal is to win and lift the trophy. Secondly, if given a chance, I want to try to win as many matches for my team as possible and give my best. Additionally, I aim to take one of the best catches in the IPL and win the ‘Best Fielder’ award,” he concluded.
Leave a Comment