Praful Hinge. (Photo Credits: SRH/X)
“Hanuman ji ka bada bhakt hai (He is a big devotee of Lord Hanuman),” said a proud and emotional Prakash, father of Praful Hinge, after his son made a strong impact on debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals.
The young right-arm pacer needed just one over to announce himself on the big stage, shaking the Rajasthan Royals batting line-up. He picked up key wickets of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
In an exclusive conversation with NewsX.com, Prakash spoke about his son’s journey, his debut moment, the role of the MRF Pace Foundation, and the emotional story behind the IPL 2026 auction day.
“10-11 saal se cricket khel raha hai aur club ko hi apna ghar bana liya hai (He has been playing cricket for the past 10-11 years and has made the club his home),” Prakash said.
He steadily rose through the ranks in Vidarbha cricket. “He first got selected in the U-16 team and then kept moving up through different age groups before reaching the senior level. He is a very hardworking kid.”
Prakash also spoke highly about the support his son received from experienced players and coaches, especially Varun Aaron and legendary pacer Glenn McGrath. “Praful has been training at the MRF Pace Foundation for the last 2–3 years. When he had a serious back injury and could not even stand properly, Glenn McGrath supported him and gave him confidence. He even took him to Australia for training.”
Praful’s recovery phase was challenging, but he stayed strong and focused on working hard towards his fitness. “He worked very hard at the MRF Pace Foundation. Varun Aaron used to speak to him regularly during his recovery.”
“We were very stressed when he got injured, but he did not give up. He was frustrated at times, but he kept working hard,” Prakash added.
One of the most emotional moments came during the IPL 2026 auction. “He was watching the IPL auction on his phone while sitting at a Hanuman temple. He has deep faith in Hanuman ji and often prays during important moments. That day too, he prayed with hope — and it felt like his prayers were answered,” Prakash revealed.
Prakash highlighted that fitness has been a key focus area for Praful, especially after his injury.
“He takes his fitness very seriously. He follows a proper diet, trains regularly, and practices yoga to stay fit. He also follows all the guidance from the MRF Pace Foundation, which has helped him improve his strength, recovery, and overall performance,” he said.
Praful was initially expected to make his debut earlier against Punjab Kings, but plans changed at the last moment. “Yes, he was supposed to debut earlier, but due to pitch and weather conditions, the team combination changed. That’s part of the game,” revealed the pacer’s father.
When he finally got his chance, he made it count bagging a four-wicket haul. “He performed really well in his first match. We are very proud of him and hope he continues like this,” Prakash concluded.
In the end, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a comfortable 57-run win over Rajasthan Royals, with Praful’s dream debut becoming one of the biggest highlights of the match.
Covering sports for fun. Cricket in whites remains the first love—the kind that teaches patience, rewards nuance, and tells stories over five days rather than five seconds.
Check the updated IPL 2026 points table as of April 15. After the high-voltage CSK…
Sony Pictures has announced plans for a feature-length, R-rated animated film based on the hit…
Maharashtra: Concerns over the so-called “zombie drug” have now reached Mira Bhayandar after a video…
