Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have made a decisive move ahead of the IPL 2026 season by signing England left-arm pacer David Payne as a replacement for the injured Jack Edwards. The IPL confirmed the signing, with Payne joining the squad for INR 1.5 crore, while Edwards—originally bought for INR 3 crore—will miss the entire tournament due to injury.
At 35, Payne brings vast experience to SRH’s bowling attack. He has taken 304 wickets in 233 T20 matches at an economy rate under 8, making him a dependable option in both the powerplay and death overs. His standout performance came in last season’s BBL final for Perth Scorchers, where he earned Player of the Match honors with figures of 3/18.
Fans have praised the signing, highlighting Payne’s ability to swing the ball early and deliver yorkers at the death. His inclusion strengthens SRH’s pace unit alongside Harshal Patel and Eshan Malinga, giving the team more depth and flexibility as the tournament begins.
