Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have signed England left-arm seamer David Payne as a replacement for Jack Edwards, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a foot injury. The 35-year-old arrives on the back of an impressive run in T20 leagues around the world, further strengthening SRH’s pace options ahead of the new season.
Payne has enjoyed a late-career resurgence after stepping away from first-class cricket, reinventing himself as a specialist in the shortest format. With 304 wickets in 233 T20 matches at an average of 21.16 and an economy rate of 8.03, he brings both experience and consistency. His ability to strike early in the powerplay and deceive batters with slower deliveries has made him a sought-after asset in franchise cricket.
He was the leading wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast two years ago, claiming 33 wickets and guiding Gloucestershire to the title. More recently, Payne tasted further success by winning the ILT20 2026 with the Desert Vipers. He then capped off his form in style in the Big Bash League (BBL), earning Player of the Final honors for Perth Scorchers after a match-winning spell of 3 for 18 against Sydney Sixers.
SRH, however, are facing early challenges this season, with captain Pat Cummins also unavailable for the opening matches due to a lumbar stress fracture. The team will need to rely on its depth and new signings like Payne to stay competitive in the initial phase.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28 against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru. Payne’s inclusion could prove crucial as the franchise looks to overcome early setbacks and build momentum in the tournament.
