Praful Hinge's anticipated debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League on April 11, 2026, took an unexpected turn when he was replaced by veteran bowler Jaydev Unadkat before the bowling innings began. Despite being named in the Playing XI by captain Ishan Kishan, Hinge never stepped onto the field, leading to questions about the validity of his debut. Under IPL rules, a player's debut is only recognized if they participate in the match, which means Hinge's debut is not officially recorded. This decision highlights the strategic implications of the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to adjust their lineup based on match conditions. Hinge, who has excelled in red-ball cricket with 27 wickets in 10 Ranji Trophy matches this season, has limited T20 experience, having played only one match in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The match ended with Punjab Kings successfully chasing down a target of 220 runs, winning by six wickets with seven balls to spare.