 breakout bowling stars, Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge){kind=link}
HYDERABAD — Former India legend Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) breakout bowling stars, Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge, following their clinical demolition of Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday.
The young duo combined for eight wickets to secure a massive 57-run victory for SRH, marking their second win of the IPL 2026 season. After skipper Ishan Kishan’s blistering 91 set a target of 217, Hinge ($4/34$) and Hussain ($4/24$) tore through the RR lineup, bundling them out for a mere 159.
The Rise of the “Yorker Specialist”
Ashwin, known for his keen cricketing mind, was particularly impressed by the technical prowess of the newcomers. He questioned why SRH management waited until mid-tournament to unleash the pair.
“I’m wondering what took SRH so long to put these players on the park,” Ashwin stated. “Had I seen someone at the nets coming up with such Yorker execution, I would have given him a run in the very first game.”
Key Performances at a Glance
The match showcased a tactical shift for SRH, moving away from a heavy reliance on veteran slower bowlers to raw, clinical pace.
| Player | Figures | Impact |
| Sakib Hussain | $4/24$ | Devastating Yorker execution; rattled the top order. |
| Praful Hinge | $4/34$ | Provided crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. |
| Ishan Kishan | $91$ Runs | Anchored the first innings to set a 216-run total. |
Looking Ahead
While Ashwin acknowledged the value of experience, he emphasized that the inclusion of Hinge and Hussain provides a necessary balance to the SRH attack. “What gives me confidence to say SRH will pile pressure on other teams… is Hussain’s Yorker execution,” he added.
With this win, SRH has signaled a warning to the rest of the league, proving that their young bowling unit is ready for the “bigger picture” of the IPL 2026 playoffs race.