In a moment that redefined the start of a T20 innings, debutant Praful Hinge scripted history in the Indian Premier League by becoming the first bowler ever to take three wickets in the very first over of an innings.
The over began with immediate impact. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell off the very first ball, attempting a pull shot only to be caught by Salil Arora, departing for a golden duck. Moments later, Dhruv Jurel edged the ball onto his stumps, leaving Rajasthan reeling at two down within the same over.
The final blow came on the last delivery, when Lhuan-dre Pretorius flicked a rising ball straight to deep backward square leg, completing an extraordinary sequence — three wickets in a single opening over.
This remarkable feat stands alone in IPL history. While there have been over 30 instances of bowlers picking up two wickets in the first over, none had ever managed three until Hinge's sensational debut spell.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, the performance also brought back memories of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had taken two wickets in the first over against Rajasthan at the same venue in 2024. However, Hinge's effort has now set a new benchmark.
Hinge's rise has been steady yet understated. He made his First-Class debut for Vidarbha cricket team in 2024 and impressed with 16 wickets in six matches. His breakthrough in the shortest format came during the Vidarbha Pro T20 League, where he played a key role in the title-winning campaign of Neco Master Blasters.
A lively pacer with sharp movement and energy, Hinge has often spoken about his admiration for Pat Cummins and the influence of Umesh Yadav on his development.
At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, a venue known for high-scoring encounters, the spotlight belonged entirely to the bowler. In a format dominated by batters, Hinge's unforgettable first over proved that cricket can still produce moments of pure unpredictability.
Edited by : Mary Rose Baba