Sunrisers Hyderabad have added English fast bowler David Payne to their squad ahead of IPL 2026. The left-arm pacer replaces Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
SRH will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The team has made this move just days before the tournament as they deal with injury concerns in their squad.
SRH Facing Injury Concerns Before IPL 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently dealing with a few injury issues in their squad. The team is also waiting for clarity regarding the availability of their captain Pat Cummins.
Because of these uncertainties, the franchise decided to strengthen its bowling attack by signing David Payne. The move ensures that SRH have a reliable pace option in case key players are unavailable at the start of the season.
Jack Edwards Ruled Out of IPL 2026
Jack Edwards was bought by SRH for ₹3 crore during the December 2025 IPL mini auction. However, the Australian all-rounder has now been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season because of injury.
This comes as a setback for the team, especially when there are already doubts about Pat Cummins’ participation in the early matches.
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Jack Edwards IPL Contract Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Team | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Auction price | ₹3 crore |
| Auction year | IPL 2026 mini auction (Dec 2025) |
| Status | Ruled out due to injury |
David Payne Joins SRH as Replacement
David Payne is an experienced left-arm fast-medium bowler from England. He has played a large number of T20 matches across different leagues and is known for his control and ability to pick wickets.
SRH have signed him for ₹1.5 crore as Edwards’ replacement. The team hopes Payne will strengthen the bowling unit during the tournament.
David Payne Career Overview
| Format | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| T20 | 233 | 304 |
| ODI | 1 | 0 |
Payne has also played in several well-known T20 leagues around the world. He was part of the Perth Scorchers squad that won the Big Bash League title in BBL12. He has also appeared in competitions such as the ILT20 and England’s Vitality Blast.
What David Payne Brings to SRH
David Payne adds variety to SRH’s bowling attack with his left-arm pace. His experience in T20 leagues around the world gives the team another reliable option in the pace department.
He can bowl effectively in different phases of the game and has a strong record of taking wickets in T20 cricket. This makes him a useful addition to the squad, especially when injuries have affected the team’s balance.
Possible Leadership Situation
If Pat Cummins misses the early matches of IPL 2026, leadership duties may fall to another senior player in the squad.
Some reports suggest that Ishan Kishan could lead the side in Cummins’ absence, with Abhishek Sharma possibly serving as vice-captain. However, the final decision will depend on team management closer to the start of the tournament.
Many fans have reacted positively to the signing of David Payne. Supporters believe the experienced pacer can help strengthen SRH’s bowling attack and provide depth during a long tournament.
With the IPL season approaching quickly, the team will be hoping the new addition settles in well and contributes to a strong campaign in IPL 2026.
