IPL 2026: Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge give Sunrisers Hyderabad a new identity beyond the bat

Batting powerhouse, six-hitting machine, powerplay beasts, these are some of the terms generally used to describe Indian Premier League (IPL) team Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). A side packed with some of the most ruthless hitters of the cricket ball from top to bottom, earned the reputation on the back of some belligerent batting displays over the past few years.

However, in the ongoing IPL 2026, SRH are trying hard to flip the script, having some of the most exciting young bowling talent in their squad. At the forefront of it all are the two men who caught everyone’s attention through their marvellous debut in the T20 extravaganza: Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain.

After grabbing a four-wicket haul apiece in their first appearance against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Hinge and Hussain were tasked with defending 194 against high-flying Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Unlike their debut match, it was an evening of contrasting performances from the duo.

A harsh lesson under the lights

Both Hinge and Hussain were given a dark reality check during the fixture, being taken to the cleaners in their opening bursts. Hinge had the worst of it all, being hit for a maximum on the first ball of CSK’s innings by Sanju Samson and ended up leaking a whopping 39 runs in his first two overs.

On the other hand, Sakib started by conceding five wides down the leg side, giving away 13 runs in his first over. After a disastrous opening over, Hussain regained control, bowling a perfect mixture of slower balls, cutters and yorkers against a well-set Matthew Short and Sarfaraz Khan, giving away just seven runs in his second over.

However, Hinge continued to have the worst night of his two-match IPL career, being whacked for another 15 runs in his third over, with his figures reading 0/54 in three overs. While Hinge was being smashed left-right and centre, Hussain’s bowling smarts were at work, devising a plan to send the CSK’s fiercest hitter, Shivam Dube, back into the pavilion.

Hussain vs Dube: A battle within the battle

Returning to bowl the 15^th over of the innings after Dube warmed himself up with a colossal six against Hinge in the previous over, Hussain was on the firing line as well. However, the 21-year-old remained unflinching and focused on the plan he had devised.

For CSK, the equation was 60 runs needed off 36 balls, and Matthew Short, Dube’s batting partner, had decided just to give the strike back to him, to take down the young seamer, who’s yet to go through the rigours of top-level cricket.

However, Hussain was ready for the challenge and began with a slower off-cutter to Dube, who worked it around for a single. He followed it up with a slower bouncer and then another slower off-cutter, conceding just six runs from his third over.

After Eshan Malinga removed Matthew Short in the 16^th over, only Dube stood between SRH and victory, with CSK requiring 46 runs from the last 24 balls. Hussain returned to bowl his final over of the match, and again gave no pace whatsoever to the hard-hitter, bowling slower off cutters angling away from the left-hander.

Hussain outfoxes Dube

After Overton failed to hit Hussain, all eyes were on Dube again, with CSK needing a big hit, requiring 41 runs off 20 balls, with two more balls left in the over. However, by then, the battle was already won by the 21-year-old even before he delivered the ball. Dube waited deep in his crease for another shortish, slower delivery to come his way and whack it with all his might into the stands.

With a lot resting on his last two balls, Hussain ran in, but this time bowled full-tilt into Dube’s pads as the ball missed his flick and crashed into the stumps. And that was the game! The southpaw was visibly disappointed as he got outfoxed by the youngster, who hurried him with the pace after setting him up for two overs.

It was a masterclass from the 21-year-old pacer, who stood up for his team at a crucial stage and got them a step closer to victory. Hussain gave away just six runs in his final over, to finish with figures of 1/32 from his four overs.

Despite Dube’s wicket, there were still three overs remaining in the match with CSK needing 40 runs to win off the last 18 balls. A few hits from Jamie Overton and Anshul Kamboj meant that CSK were left with 18 runs to win off the last over, and it was Praful Hinge, who had leaked 54 runs from his three overs, who was given the responsibility with the ball.

Redemption in six balls

For any 24-year-old playing just his second IPL match and having his worst night, it was a herculean task. However, Hinge managed to hold his nerve when it mattered the most and bowled a composed final over, bowling away from the batter’s arc. 

Even a no-ball couldn’t rattle him as he conceded just seven runs and set up a ten-run victory for his team. In a space of six deliveries, he turned a night that threatened to become a nightmare into one of redemption.

With Hussain’s tactical brilliance and Hinge’s resilience, SRH may have discovered that their newest identity in IPL 2026 could be shaped not only by power-hitting, but by fearless young fast bowlers.