“How Shameless…” Praful Hinge’s Celebration On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Wicket S – Praful Hinge Under Fire: Controversial Celebration Against Sooryavanshi
The Clash of Tempers in New Chandigarh
The IPL 2026 Eliminator between the Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad was always destined to be a blockbuster affair. However, the contest at New Chandigarh took an unexpected turn, not just for the explosive cricket on display, but for a moment of intense hostility that has dominated social media discourse. At the center of this firestorm is the rivalry between teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Praful Hinge.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old wonder kid of the Rajasthan Royals, entered this match in prime form. From the first ball, he launched a blistering assault on the SRH bowling attack, seemingly on a mission to shatter Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest IPL century. With the crowd roaring, the youngster was just three runs away from a historic 30-ball century when Praful Hinge intervened, ending his innings in a fashion that left many spectators shocked and disappointed.
The Moment That Sparked Outrage
The tension peaked at the end of the 8th over. Sooryavanshi, having already smashed 27 runs off just six balls in that specific over, was poised to make history. However, Hinge deployed a short-pitched delivery that forced a miscued shot from the southpaw, with the ball falling comfortably into the hands of R. Smaran. As the catch was completed, Hinge’s reaction was immediate and highly animated. He was seen laughing and gesturing aggressively toward the teenage batter, a display of emotion that many fans felt crossed the line of professional decorum.
Social media platforms were quickly flooded with criticism. Fans took to various forums to express their disapproval, labeling the bowler’s actions as “shameless” and disrespectful toward a young talent who had already established himself as a central figure in the tournament. This incident follows a similar narrative seen earlier in the season when Kyle Jamieson confronted Sooryavanshi after bowling him out, but the perceived lack of sportsmanship here felt particularly jarring given the young batter’s sheer dominance in the match.
A Developing Rivalry
The ongoing battle between Sooryavanshi and Hinge has become one of the most talked-about subplots of the 2026 season. This Eliminator clash marked their third meeting in the tournament, and the head-to-head statistics paint a fascinating, albeit volatile, picture. In their debut encounter in Hyderabad, Hinge successfully dismissed the youngster for a duck. Sooryavanshi responded in kind during their second meeting, dismantling Hinge’s figures to score 30 runs off just nine balls, featuring four massive sixes.
Currently, the head-to-head stats stand at 57 runs off 17 balls with two dismissals, with the batter hitting 7 sixes and 3 fours. It is clear that while Hinge has found a way to take the wicket, he has also been on the receiving end of Sooryavanshi’s wrath on multiple occasions.
RR Dominance and the Aftermath
Despite the dismissal of Sooryavanshi, his departure did not halt the Rajasthan Royals’ momentum. At the end of his explosive stint, the scoreboard read 125/1, with Sooryavanshi contributing 97 of those runs. Dhruv Jurel continued the onslaught, racing to a 21-ball 50, which included five boundaries and three maximums. Although SRH managed to claw back some control—with Praful Hinge finishing with figures of 3/54—the damage caused by the Rajasthan batting lineup had already been significant.
The incident serves as a reminder of the immense pressure inherent in the IPL, where the line between competitive spirit and excessive aggression can often become blurred. As the tournament reaches its final stages, the focus will likely shift back to the cricket, but the memory of this animated celebration will undoubtedly linger in the minds of the fans who witnessed it.
The Broader Impact
Sportsmanship remains a cornerstone of cricket, and moments like these often serve as a catalyst for discussions on player conduct. While emotions naturally run high in high-stakes matches, the reaction from the public highlights a desire for professional maturity, especially when dealing with young players who are just beginning their professional journeys. As for the Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, the intensity of their rivalry is unlikely to wane, and cricket enthusiasts will be keenly watching the next chapter of this compelling and increasingly heated contest.
