Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) delivered one of the most dominant performances of IPL 2026 as they defeated Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 57 runs, handing the table-toppers their first loss of the season. While the result itself was significant, the match will be remembered just as much for the emergence of a new star and a viral moment that captured the emotions of the night.
Dream IPL debut for Praful Hinge
Chasing a daunting target of 217, Rajasthan Royals needed a strong start, especially from their young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. However, things took a dramatic turn right from the very first over. Debutant pacer Praful Hinge made an immediate impact, delivering a hard-length ball that rushed onto the teenager.
Attempting to take the aggressive route, Sooryavanshi went for a pull shot but mistimed it badly. The ball flew high into the air, giving wicketkeeper Salil Arora enough time to move forward and complete a safe catch. The 15-year-old prodigy, who had been in sensational form throughout the tournament, had to walk back for a golden duck.
That early breakthrough set the tone for what followed. Hinge wasn’t done yet – he struck twice more in the same over, dismissing Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. In doing so, he created history by becoming the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in his debut over.
The Vidarbha pacer continued to impress later in the innings as well, eventually picking up the crucial wicket of RR captain Riyan Parag. He finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 22, marking one of the most memorable debuts in IPL history.
Rajasthan Royals never truly recovered from that early collapse. Reduced to 9 for 5 in the opening overs, their chase derailed completely. Despite a few resistance efforts, they were eventually bowled out for 160, falling well short of the target.
Earlier in the match, SRH posted a strong total of 216, thanks largely to a brilliant innings from captain Ishan Kishan. The left-hander played an explosive knock of 91 off just 44 balls, setting the platform for a commanding performance.
Kavya Maran’s reaction goes viral after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s dismissal
While Hinge’s bowling stole the spotlight on the field, another moment captured the imagination of fans off it. As Sooryavanshi’s catch went up in the air, cameras quickly shifted to the stands, where SRH owner Kavya Maran was watching intently.
The tension of the moment was clearly visible on her face. As the ball hung in the air, she rose from her seat, clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture, and followed its trajectory closely. It was a split-second moment filled with anticipation.
The instant Salil Arora completed the catch, her reaction was instant and unfiltered. She jumped up in celebration, her joy evident as she cheered passionately for the breakthrough. It was a raw and genuine expression of emotion, perfectly capturing how crucial that wicket was for her team.
The clip quickly went viral across social media, with fans sharing and reacting to her spontaneous celebration. Many praised her passion for the game, while others highlighted how her reaction reflected the importance of dismissing a player as dangerous as Sooryavanshi early in the innings.
Also WATCH: Praful Hinge removes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel and Lhuan-dre Pretorius for ducks in his first over
And rightly so – the young RR opener had been one of the standout performers of IPL 2026, consistently giving his team flying starts. His early dismissal not only stunned viewers but also shifted the momentum heavily in Hyderabad’s favour.
Kavya Maran saying “Oh Fcuk” 😂🤣😂😂 pic.twitter.com/pdr2ajJlIG
— Swaasthi (@swaasthi) April 13, 2026
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi की विकेट और SRH की ऑनर Kavya Maran की खुशी!#SRHvsRR pic.twitter.com/0qnILT9HVB
— SOURAV RAJ (@souravreporter2) April 13, 2026
In the end, it turned out to be a defining moment in the match. With the Royals losing their most explosive batter right at the start, the pressure mounted quickly, and SRH capitalised on it brilliantly.
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