SRH Announce Surprise IPL Replacement For Australia Player Before 2026 Season

Sunrisers Hyderabad - (Source: AFP)

In a significant development, Sunrisers Hyderabad have named official replacement for their injured star Jack Edwards. Notably, ahead of the start of IPL 2026, the Australia all-rounder was ruled out of the tournament as he failed to recover from hamstring injury sustained during Sheffield Shield match last month. 

On Tuesday, March 24, SRH officially confirmed England's David Payne as Jack Edwards' replacement for IPL 2026. The 35-year-old has been roped in by the 2016 IPL winners for 1.5 crores,  the same amount they paid Jack Edwards during IPL 2026 mini-auction. It is a like-to-like replacement for SRH.

Who Is David Payne, SRH's Surprise Replacement For Jack Edwards?

David Payne is a left-arm seamer who has represented England in a solitary ODI match. The 35-year-old made his debut against Netherlands in 2022. However, he has a lot of domestic success with 233 T20s, scalping 304 wickets from the same.

Payne is all set for his debut IPL stint despite playing several leagues across the globe. The left-arm seamer played for Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers in BBL. Payne took 11 wickets in 6 innings in the recently concluded stint.

The 35-year-old shone in BBL final where he picked up a three-wicket haul which caught SRH's attention. Not just in BBL, but Payne also left his mark in ILT20 for Desert Vipers. Payne took 17 wickets in nine innings and took a three-wicket haul in the final against MI Emirates.

Also Read: RCB Vs SRH IPL 2026 Tickets: Price, Date, How To Buy And All You Need To Know

SRH have brought in a great replacement and banked on Payne's abilities to shine on big days.  Apart from the Men in Orange, KKR have also officially named Shubham Dubey as replacement for Akash Deep.

SRH will play their opening game on March 28 when they lock horns against RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

SRH Receive Pat Cummins, Eshan Malinga Boost Ahead Of IPL 2026

Sunrisers Hyderabad have received a major boost ahead of IPL 2026 as Pat Cummins has been cleared to travel to India. Notably, the right-arm seamer will reach Bengaluru on Tuesday, March 24.

A report from Cricbuzz stated that Pat Cummins, who is nursing a back injury will join the rest of the SRH squad in Bengaluru on Tuesday. However, he is not match ready. The right-arm seamer will undergo light training and still it is unclear when will he return to the field and lead the side.

Not just Pat Cummins, but Sunrisers Hyderabad received another boost in the form of Eshan Malinga. The right-arm seamer cleared his fitness test in Sri Lanka and has been cleared to play for SRH in IPL 2026.

Malinga's approval has come at a time when several players were denied NOC for the IPL 2026 and the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2026).

SRH's Updated Squad For IPL 2026

Also Read: Yash Dayal IPL 2026 Availability- RCB Issues Official Update