Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2026 campaign ended in the Eliminator after Rajasthan Royals secured a 47-run victory, but the season also reinforced how strongly the franchise’s younger pace attack had been shaped by the MRF Pace Foundation system. Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge each played visible roles during SRH’s run to the playoffs, with their progression reflecting years of technical work, physical conditioning and structured preparation carried out away from the spotlight. Speaking to The Indian Express, M Senthilnathan, MRF Pace Foundation Chief Coach, discussed the development journeys of the three fast bowlers.
Days before SRH confirmed their playoff qualification against Chennai Super Kings, Malinga and Hinge returned to the MRF Pace Foundation setup in Chennai, revisiting an environment closely connected to their early growth as professional cricketers. Both bowlers had previously spent formative periods inside the academy structure before establishing themselves at franchise level.
Malinga’s consistency strengthened SRH’s attack
Malinga became one of SRH’s most reliable pace options during IPL 2026, featuring throughout the league stage and collecting 19 wickets before the playoffs. The Sri Lankan quick had earlier trained at the MRF Pace Foundation through a programme linked with Sri Lanka Cricket before progressing into international cricket.
Senthilnathan said: “When he arrived, it was mostly fine-tuning – areas to bowl and including variations. I feel we haven’t seen him bowl like an express. He is capable of clocking above 140kmph consistently.”
The 24-year-old remained influential during SRH’s final appearance of the season as well, finishing with 1 for 40 after Rajasthan Royals posted 243 for 8 in the Eliminator. SRH were later bowled out for 196 while chasing the target.
Sakib Hussain’s rise accelerated during IPL 2026
Sakib Hussain emerged as another major success story for SRH during the season after finishing with 15 wickets at an average of 23. The Bihar pacer first entered the MRF Pace Foundation system after being identified during selection trials, where his natural speed immediately stood out.
“He had raw pace, which was enough to catch the eye,” Senthilnathan said.
As his development progressed, the academy focused on refining his bowling without reducing the pace that made him stand out initially. Sakib later spent time as a net bowler with Chennai Super Kings and was also part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ title-winning squad in 2024 before earning regular opportunities at SRH.
Senthilnathan added: “His arm-speed is really quick. He may not look quick, but when you face him because of the arm-speed, he has always had the tendency to hurry the batsmen. And he also has a very good yorker. Now, he has developed the slower one, which is again very hard to pick up with his action. He is only going to grow from here.”
Although Sakib finished wicketless in the Eliminator, his performances across the season established him as one of SRH’s most promising younger bowlers.
Hinge’s progress reflected long-term workload management
Praful Hinge’s route into senior cricket followed a more gradual progression, with rehabilitation and physical development becoming major parts of his early years at the academy. The Vidarbha fast bowler attracted significant attention earlier this season after taking three wickets in his opening over on IPL debut.
In SRH’s final game of the campaign, Hinge claimed 3 for 54 despite Rajasthan Royals’ strong batting performance.
Senthilnathan said: “When he arrived, we had to tweak his action a bit. We knew his capability, but he was just coming through a four-month rehab process. So it was one step at a time for him. We gradually built his load, thrusting him in the Under-23 before putting him in Ranji. Like Sakib, he was young then. Pacers body develop only when they reach 23. Between 18-22 we made him physically strong.”
The season offered SRH encouraging signs around the depth of their younger fast-bowling resources, particularly with multiple bowlers emerging through structured developmental pathways before transitioning into IPL cricket.
Senthilnathan also warned that sustaining those standards will become more demanding once opposition teams build more detailed plans around the bowlers. “Whichever format you play, the first season is easy because you are an unknown quantity. Next IPL, teams will come prepared for them. If they can do reasonably well next year, it will be huge. They have to work even harder now.”
