In a match dominated by batting fireworks on a flat deck at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, young pacer Sakib Hussain grabbed attention as he emerged as the new star for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League 2026 against Rajasthan Royals. Playing his maiden game, the 21-year-old Bihar pacer, struck with four crucial wickets, as SRH built a commanding position at the end of the second innings. With defending a massive score of 216 runs, SRH were in search of early wickets and it was Sakib, who came out all guns blazing in his very first over by getting Rajasthan Royals in-form opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. His debut got even better when he later picked up the key wickets of Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi as he ended up with the phenomenal figures of 4/24 in his four overs, playing a massive role in putting SRH in the driving seat of the encounter. Dream Debut Turns Match in SRH's Favour SRH’s bowling line, which has drawn a lot of criticism, rose to the occasion and they were backed up by fellow debutant Praful Hinge, who picked up three early wickets of Rajasthan Royals in his very first over itself, leaving the visitors reeling at 1/3. It was too much of an ask for the Royals to make a comeback from that as despite a brilliant 69 from Donovan Ferreira and a 45 from Ravindra Jadeja, the visitors were still batting on 147/9 after 17.2 overs, requiring 70 runs in just 16 balls at that point of the match. Sakib's ability to pick up wickets at regular intervals ensures RR could never build up a sustained partnership and the control, pace and composure that was on display from the Bihar lad was definitely something to behold for a debutante. Also Read | Praful Hinge Creates History, Joins Akhtar, Cummins & Shami in Rare IPL Club From Bihar to IPL - A quiet Climb, Leading to a Moment of Glory Sakib Hussain's rise through the domestic circuit has been nothing but phenomenal, on which he built his claim to the IPL stage. The pacer represented Bihar during the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and came into prominence during his second match of the tournament where he took a four-wicket haul. He followed it up with a five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. Interestingly, Sakib was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2024 edition of the tournament, but never got an opportunity to play for the KKR side. SRH bought him for a sum of 30 lakh during the IPL 2026 auction, and it seems to have paid dividends for the Hyderabad franchise already. The arrival of both Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge makes SRH's bowling attack more threatening and balanced, and these could turn out to be game changers in the Hyderabad side's quest to climb up the points table.