Praful Hinge eyes India A debut with one-ball-at-a-time mantra

Praful Hinge, who shot to fame with a three-wicket opening over for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, will make his India A debut in a four-day red-ball series against Australia A starting September 22 in Puducherry. The right-arm fast bowler told IANS he is focusing on the present and bowling one delivery at a time, without worrying about what lies ahead.

Hinge learned of his selection through a friend's message and confirmed it on the BCCI website. Since the IPL, he has kept in rhythm by taking eight wickets in the Vidarbha Pro T20 League and playing Under-25 matches at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He has also worked with SRH fast-bowling coach Varun Aaron, who helped adjust his action, and sought advice from former India bowlers Lakshmipathy Balaji and P. Krishnakumar at the CoE.

Hinge has 27 wickets from 10 first-class matches since his Ranji Trophy debut in 2024. He acknowledged that the IPL attention has changed life for his family in Nagpur, with requests now processed faster than before. The series at CAP Siechem Stadium in Puducherry will test the pacers in afternoon heat, a challenge Hinge says he is ready for.