“How Shameless…” Praful Hinge’s Celebration On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Wicket S – IPL 2026: Praful Hinge’s Celebration Against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sparks Fan Fury
The Incident That Divided Cricket Fans
The IPL 2026 Eliminator clash between the Rajasthan Royals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh turned into a spectacle of high emotions. While the focus was supposed to be on the breathtaking batting display of young wonder kid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the post-wicket reaction from SRH pacer Praful Hinge stole the headlines, albeit for the wrong reasons. As Sooryavanshi looked set to rewrite history, Hinge’s animated celebration upon taking the wicket left fans on social media in a state of fury.
Chasing History Denied
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi entered the match in scintillating form, displaying the kind of talent that has already made him a household name at just 15 years old. Batting first, the young southpaw was in absolute ‘Midas touch,’ dismantling the SRH bowling attack with ease. He was charging toward what would have been the fastest century in IPL history, aiming to break the legendary record held by Chris Gayle—a 30-ball century.
At the conclusion of the 8th over, Sooryavanshi needed just three runs from the next two balls to etch his name into the record books. However, Praful Hinge had other plans. Hinge delivered a short-pitched ball that forced a mistake from the batter, leading to a catch by R. Smaran. The dismissal not only halted a historic knock but also prevented the teenager from reaching a well-deserved milestone.
A Controversial Celebration
What followed the dismissal caused a significant ripple of outrage. Praful Hinge, having successfully dismissed the rising star for the second time this season, celebrated with extreme animation. Witnesses and viewers noted that Hinge appeared to be laughing at the 15-year-old as the catch was completed. For many fans watching, the intensity of the celebration felt disproportionate and lacked the sportsmanship expected at the highest level of the game.
This incident invited immediate comparisons to the earlier encounter involving Kyle Jamieson, who also celebrated aggressively after clean-bowling Sooryavanshi. However, in this specific instance, the reaction felt particularly stinging to spectators, as it came after a blistering 27 runs off just 6 balls by the teenager in that very over.
The Growing Rivalry: Hinge vs. Sooryavanshi
The tactical battle between Sooryavanshi and Hinge has become one of the defining narratives of the 2026 season. This Eliminator match marked the third time these two have locked horns. Their head-to-head record is a testament to the high-pressure environment of the IPL. On his debut, Hinge dismissed Sooryavanshi for a duck. The teenager responded in kind during their next meeting, punishing Hinge for 30 runs off 9 balls, including four sixes, on his way to a brilliant 103 off 37 deliveries.
With this latest dismissal, their head-to-head statistics currently stand at 57 runs off 17 balls with 2 dismissals, including 7 sixes and 3 fours. It is a battle of aggression versus finesse that has kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the season.
Impact on the Match
Despite the dismissal, Sooryavanshi’s initial carnage provided a massive foundation for the Rajasthan Royals. By the end of the 8th over, the team had reached an impressive 125/1, with Sooryavanshi accounting for 97 of those runs. The momentum carried forward through Dhruv Jurel, who smashed a rapid 50 off 21 balls, featuring 5 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Although captain Riyan Parag fell while attempting a massive shot off Hinge—who eventually finished his spell with respectable figures of 3/54—the Rajasthan Royals posted a commanding score of 215/4 at the end of 16 overs. While Praful Hinge played a crucial role in curbing the scoring rate, the conversation surrounding his conduct during the match continues to dominate post-match discussions, highlighting the thin line between competitive fire and sportsmanlike conduct in professional cricket.
