“How Shameless…” Praful Hinge’s Celebration On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Wicket S – IPL 2026: Praful Hinge Celebration Sparks Outrage During Sooryavanshi Knock

A High-Stakes Clash Turns Controversial

The IPL 2026 Eliminator match between the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh was meant to be a spectacle of batting prowess. At the center of this drama was 15-year-old wonder kid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was in the midst of a historic batting masterclass. However, the narrative shifted from awe to outrage following an intense confrontation involving SRH pacer Praful Hinge.

The Near-Record Knock

Sooryavanshi arrived at the crease with intent, punishing the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling attack from the very first delivery. As he blazed through his innings, he appeared to be on a collision course with cricket immortality, looking set to shatter Chris Gayle’s long-standing record of a 30-ball century. With just two balls remaining in the 8th over and only three runs needed to surpass the legendary mark, the atmosphere was electric.

However, Praful Hinge had other plans. In a tactical move that proved effective, Hinge delivered a short ball—a tactic he had utilized against the young batter previously. Sooryavanshi attempted to pull, but the ball ballooned into the air, finding R Smaran in the deep. With that catch, the dream of a record-breaking century evaporated.

Fan Backlash and Animated Celebrations

What irked spectators wasn’t merely the dismissal, but the manner in which Hinge chose to celebrate. The pacer launched into an animated, aggressive celebration, appearing to laugh directly at the 15-year-old as the catch was completed. This behavior was swiftly condemned by fans across social media, who felt that such displays of arrogance toward a teenage prodigy were entirely uncalled for.

This is not the first time Sooryavanshi has faced such treatment. Comparisons were quickly drawn to a previous incident involving Kyle Jamieson, who famously stood over the youngster after clean bowling him. Yet, the current sentiment remains particularly hostile, as viewers felt Hinge’s actions lacked sportsmanship, especially considering Sooryavanshi had just plundered 27 runs off the previous six balls in that very over.

The Rivalry: Sooryavanshi vs. Hinge

The tactical battle between Sooryavanshi and Hinge has become one of the defining sub-plots of the 2026 season. Across their three meetings, the head-to-head record highlights both the brilliance of the youngster and the grit of the pacer. The current record stands at 57 runs off 17 balls with two dismissals, showcasing the high-risk, high-reward nature of their encounters.

When they first met, Hinge succeeded in dismissing the youngster for a duck. Sooryavanshi responded in kind during their second meeting, dismantling Hinge for 30 runs off 9 balls, including four massive sixes, on his way to a brilliant 103 off 37 deliveries. This third encounter proved equally volatile, with the teenager feasting on the bowling before his unfortunate dismissal.

Impact on the Eliminator

Despite the dismissal, Sooryavanshi’s early carnage laid a devastating foundation for the Rajasthan Royals. By the end of the 8th over, the team had reached an imposing 125/1, with Sooryavanshi contributing 97 of those runs. Following his departure, Dhruv Jurel stepped up to maintain the momentum, smashing 50 off just 21 balls, featuring five fours and three sixes.

Captain Riyan Parag attempted to keep the pressure on but was eventually caught on the fence by Heinrich Klaasen off a Hinge delivery. By the end of the 16th over, the Rajasthan Royals had reached 215/4, a total that put them firmly in the driver’s seat. While Praful Hinge finished his spell with figures of 3/54, his performance will likely be remembered more for his controversial celebration than his bowling statistics.

As the tournament reaches its business end, all eyes remain on whether the young Sooryavanshi can continue his meteoric rise, while bowlers like Hinge continue to test his resolve in the most aggressive ways possible.