Sunrisers Hyderabad have confirmed that left-arm seamer David Payne will miss the rest of IPL 2026 after picking up an ankle injury. The setback deepens a growing injury list for the franchise, with Payne joining the ranks of players already ruled out.
Quick facts
- David Payne is ruled out for the remainder of IPL 2026 due to an ankle injury.
- Payne had been brought in as a replacement for Jack Edwards, who was sidelined with a foot trouble.
- SRH have not yet announced a replacement for Payne.
- Payne played two matches this season: 2/35 vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru and 0/35 vs Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Captain Pat Cummins has been cleared after back scans in Sydney.
- Cummins is targeting a return versus Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 25.
- Ishan Kishan has captained SRH in Cummins’ absence; SRH sit fourth with two wins from five games.
- SRH take on Chennai Super Kings at Hyderabad after beating Rajasthan Royals, featuring four-wicket hauls from IPL debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain.
Payne, a 35-year-old, has had a brief run in the tournament so far, appearing in just two games. In the opening match he returned figures of 2 for 35 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and later he was hitless in terms of wickets with 0 for 35 versus Kolkata Knight Riders.
His absence is another blow in a season already disrupted by injuries for the 2016 champions. England allrounder Brydon Carse was also ruled out recently after suffering a hand injury during a net session at the start of the campaign, and he has not played a match since.
To cover Carse’s unavailability, SRH brought in Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka as his replacement. With Payne now sidelined as well, the franchise is yet to name who will fill the bowling slot left vacant by the ankle injury.
Captain’s return in sight
There is, however, a more encouraging update on the injury front for SRH. Captain Pat Cummins has been cleared to return to the squad following scans on his back in Sydney, lifting a major concern ahead of the next phase of the season.
Cummins has not yet taken the field this IPL, but his current target is a comeback against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on April 25. Until then, SRH will continue to rely on leadership from Ishan Kishan, who has been steering the side in Cummins’ absence.
That leadership has coincided with decent early momentum in the points table. SRH are currently fourth, having won two of their five games, and while they are level on four points with several other teams, they hold the advantage on net run rate.
With attention now turning to the next assignment, SRH will host Chennai Super Kings in Hyderabad following their recent win over the Royals. That triumph was driven by standout four-wicket performances from IPL debutants Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, who made a strong early impression in SRH colours.
