Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Vs Praful Hinge IPL 2026 Rivalry Timeline Explained

Sooryavanshi vs Hinge rivalry timeline [Source: AFP, AP]

Before the start of the IPL 2026, the entire cricketing fraternity reckoned that the Rajasthan Royals teenager, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, would be a one-season wonder, and he might not fare well in the ongoing season against some of the best bowlers in the business.

However, 15 games later, everyone is regretting their decision as the 15-year-old prodigy has taken the IPL by storm, and no bowler, be it world-class international bowlers or domestic players, has been able to stop him as the left-handed batter single-handedly dragged RR to Qualifier 2.

Many have tried and have failed to stop him as the batter has amassed 680 runs, with a strike rate of 242. He frustrates the bowlers with his aggressive batting. Among them is SRH spearhead Praful Hinge, whose rivalry with Sooryavanshi intensified after a heated exchange during a previous match, leading to an ongoing cold-war situation between the two.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Vs Praful Hinge: Rivalry timeline explained

Sooryavanshi dismissed for duck by Hinge

The Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad collided in match 21 of the IPL 2026, and it was the IPL debut match for SRH spearhead Praful Hinge. He was an unknown commodity, and it was expected that the pacer would be taken to the cleaners by the famed RR lineup.

SRH, batting first, posted 216/6, and the target was supposed to be a cakewalk for Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. SRH had a weak bowling attack, and everyone expected Royals to chase down the total with ease.

However, Hinge came out of the syllabus, and on a pitch that was tailor-made for the bowlers, he wreaked havoc and scalped 4 for 34, which included the prized wicket of Sooryavanshi for a duck.

Apart from the left-handed opener, Hinge also dismissed Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag to instill fear in the minds of the RR batters as he snatched the win for his side. He was the first bowler in IPL history to have cracked the Sooryavanshi code as the batter was sent packing without troubling the scorers.

Hinge boasts about Sooryavanshi’s wicket

Hinge dismissed Sooryavanshi for a duck, and the SRH bowler was quick to boast about the wicket as he revealed how he had planned to dismiss the dangerous RR opener. The right-arm pacer revealed how he had planned to sent him packing with a bouncer.

"Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's wicket was the best. He is in form. I had told a few people, main isko pehle ball pe bouncer daalke out karunga (I'll bowl a bouncer to him and get him out on the first ball). Or even if it's any ball, I just wanted to get him out first ball. Varun Aaron (our bowling coach) helped me plan it, so thank you," he said.

Sooryavanshi takes revenge with blistering hundred

In the return fixture between the two teams, Sooryavanshi was animated as he remembered each and every word said by Hinge. This time, the Sooryavanshi vs Hinge battle was won by the RR batter, as he blew away SRH with a blistering hundred.

He slammed 103 off 37 balls, with a strike rate of 278. In the same game, Hinge was taken to the cleaners by the RR opener as the SRH bowler conceded 49 runs in his 4 overs, with an economy of 12.20.

Also Read: Chris Gayle Launches 1st Reaction After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Breaks His IPL Record

Sooryavanshi hits back at Hinge

After making a mockery of the SRH attack in the reverse fixture, Sooryavanshi had an interview with the Royals, where he stated how he prefers to answer with the bat, rather than mouth.

“I went with a clear plan against the bowler. After getting out in the last match, I went back and checked my phone. I saw a lot of things. I usually don’t pay attention to those things, but when someone says something to me personally, it affects me a bit," the 15-year-old said.

Hinge mocks Sooryavanshi in IPL Eliminator

The two sides, RR and SRH once again met in the Eliminator, and once again, Sooryavanshi and RR came out on top. Batting first, the Royals posted 243/8, and the RR opener was the centre of attraction once again as he smacked 97 off 29 balls, and Hinge was the man to dismiss him.

Despite going for the cleaners, Hinge took his wicket and mocked the teenager with a celebration on his face, a move that was heavily criticised.

Also Read: Pakistan Team Owner Reacts To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Mayhem vs SRH