SRH vs RR, IPL 2026 Eliminator: Praful Hinge's Send-Off to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sparks Online Criticism (WATCH)

SRH pacer Praful Hinge is facing criticism for his aggressive send-off to 15-year-old RR batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the IPL 2026 Eliminator. After dismissing the young sensation for a blistering 97 off 29 balls, Hinge's passionate celebration sparked a heated debate among fans on social media.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Praful Hinge has come under heavy fire for his aggressive send-off to Rajasthan Royals (RR) batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during their IPL 2026 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday, May 27.

SRH’s campaign in the IPL 2026 came to an end following a 47-run defeat to RR in the Eliminator. With a mammoth 244-run target, the Sunrisers were bundled out for 196 in 19.2 overs. Ishan Kishan (33), Nitish Kumar Reddy (38), and Salil Arora (35) were the only batters who managed to register 30 or more runs, while the rest of the line-up failed to offer any substantial resistance.

For RR, Jofra Archer led the bowling attack with a spell of 3/58 at an economy rate of 14.50 in four overs. Nandra Burger (2/26), Sushant Mishra (2/21), and Ravindra Jadeja (2/21) picked up two wickets each, completing a dominant team performance that stifled the Sunrisers' chase and propelled the Royals into the Qualifier 2.

Hinge’s Aggressive Celebration over Sooryavanshi’s Dismissal Goes Viral

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stole the spotlight with his aggressive batting, as he played a blistering knock of 97 off 29 balls, including 12 sixes and 5 fours, at an astonishing strike rate of 334. The 15-year-old fell just three runs short of equalling Chris Gayle’s record for the fastest century in the history of the IPL.

However, the spectacular innings ended on a controversial note when the young opener was finally dismissed by Praful Hinge, who gave him an aggressive send-off. Sooryavanshi was batting on 97 when he miscued a delivery from Hinge and was caught at deep third man, falling just three runs short of the third century of his IPL career at just the age of 15.

Hinge, who was smashed by Vaibhav for 26 runs in a single over, couldn’t contain his celebration as soon as the catch was safely secured. As the 15-year-old stood at the crease briefly with dejection, the SRH pacer was completely pumped and celebrating passionately after ending the 15-year-old’s destructive innings.

Praful Hinge celebrated passionately after taking the prized wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. But Vaibhav remained standing far away from the crease, completely shattered and unable to process that he had fallen on 97. Even Abhishek Sharma came over to console the young batter… pic.twitter.com/YGa0PkRBo1

— Faruk (@uf2151593) May 27, 2026

However, Abhishek Sharma and other SRH player walked up to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to appreciate his knock before joining the rest of their teammates. Before being dismissed, Vaibhav smashed several records, particularly Chris Gayle’s 14-year-old record for the most sixes in a single IPL season.

He entered the Eliminator with 53 sixes in his pocket and smashed seven sixes inside the powerplay to break Chris Gayle’s record of 59 maximums in an IPL season before hitting another five maximums to take his overall tally to a mind-boggling 65 sixes in a single IPL season.

‘Audacity to Stare Down a 15-Year-Old’: Netizens Call Out Hinge’s Send-Off

Praful Hinge’s aggressive celebration after dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has sparked criticism on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing deeply divided opinions over the young bowler's intense reaction.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts slammed Praful Hinge for his aggressive send-off after being dominated by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while others defended the SRH pacer, calling it a natural reaction after dismissing a batter who had completely taken the game away from Hyderabad.

What aura this guy has managed to attract at this age. Bowlers are literally pissing in pants to bowl at him... Celebrates his wicket like they've achieved something. No other batter in the history of IPL has managed to scare bowlers like him, not even peak Gayle. https://t.co/jRpgR35aED

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 27, 2026

Praful Hinge celebrated the wicket like he won the game, 
but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had already destroyed the match with 97 runs in just 29 balls. 🔥

That knock will be remembered longer than the celebration. pic.twitter.com/gHY8fBb0RB

— Darshit Kalsariya (@Darshit2211_) May 27, 2026

After getting hammered that celebration was not required.

— Ketan Mishra (@nishachar_11) May 27, 2026

Itna maar khane ka baad kis baat ka attitude hai bhai 😭

— Nastik (@nastik_bhai) May 27, 2026

Praful Hinge has the audacity to stare at a 15 year old, who just smashed him all around the park. 🤦

— Sanjeev । సంజీవ్ 🇮🇳 (@sanjusayz) May 27, 2026

praful hinge celebrating that wicket like his life depended on it was completely understandable dismissing vaibhav sooryavanshi after an innings like that in a playoff game is the kind of moment young bowlers dream about for years 🏏🔥

— Shitik (@RitikV2) May 27, 2026

Honestly there is no need of such celebration, instead he should have appreciate the fantabulous knock

— Lone Voyager (@Prasanta1124) May 27, 2026

That’s not celebration that’s relief, pride, and disbelief all in one moment!🥶🔥

— Ganpat Kaga (@Ganpatkaga_bmr) May 27, 2026

Vaibhav does the right thing by focusing on his game and never acknowledging Hinge

— CT zen (@KunalAn45353184) May 28, 2026

He got the wicket of someone who was thrashing them, can't he even celebrate?

— Abhishek (@abhi_y_97) May 27, 2026

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has reclaimed the top spot in the Orange Cap race with 680 runs, including a century and four fifties, at an average of 45.33 and a strike rate of 242.85 in 15 matches. Of those runs, 610 came from 65 sixes and 55 fours, with nearly 90% of his total runs coming from boundaries.

Vaibhav will return to action when the Rajasthan Royals take on the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 in Mullanpur on Friday, May 29.