In what has come as a major development, two new players have been added to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 list. Both the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) have named replacements for their injured pacers. Akash Deep, who was ruled out due to a lumbar stress injury, has been replaced by left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey. Meanwhile, Australia’s Jack Edwards, who was ruled out due to an injury, has been replaced by England’s David Payne.
How will Saurabh Dubey help KKR?
KKR’s pace bowling stocks took a hit even before the season began. Harshit Rana is already ruled out of the tournament after he underwent surgery for a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. He was seen at the BCCI NAMAN awards in crutches. Then, Abhishek Nayar’s admission of Rana being out only confirmed what the franchise had feared. But instead of rushing into a decision, KKR are taking their time. They are yet to name a replacement for Rana.
Matheesha Pathirana is yet to gain a fitness NOC from Sri Lanka and will certainly miss a part of IPL 2026. All this and remember the fact that KKR had to let Mustafizur Rahman go. They have already brought in Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabi for Mustafizur.
Now, Akash Deep, an Indian international, who would’ve started for KKR, has been ruled out. Suarabh Pandey, who replaces Akash Deep gives KKR a left-arm pace angle, something that was missing in their squad. Dubey’s stats are pretty solid.
He’s played 8 List A matches, taking 16 wickets at an average of 23.31. He’s also had some T20 experience with Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Dubey’s got some big shoes to fill, having represented India in the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup under Rahul Dravid. He was India’s top wicket-taker with 7 wickets and even won Player of the Match on his List A debut vs Nepal, taking 4/26.
Who is David Payne, the new SRH pacer?
Meanwhile, Hyderabad have signed their own left-arm pacer in David Payne. For those unaware, he is a T20 veteran, having played 233 T20s in his career. A globetrotter, Payne has played across the Hundred, BBL, BPL and in ILT20. This will be the first time he may make his debut in the IPL.
Unlike many other teams, SRH didn’t have new-ball bowling options. Pat Cummins, the captain, was supposed to miss the initial games. Meanwhile, SRH let go of Mohammed Shami in a trade to LSG. Payne would now give SRH a valuable new-ball option. He can swing up top and has various varieties up his sleeve. In fact, only four pacers have taken more T20 wickets than Payne’s 104 in the last two years. His economy of 7.23 is one of the best and so is his bowling average of 17.63. Payne joins SRH for INR 1.50 crore.
As for Jack Edwards, SRH picked him up for ₹3 crore at the auction, and interestingly, he was the only uncapped overseas player to be signed. Now, Payne has replaced him and SRH have filled a hole of not having a potent new-ball pacer in the lineup. It would be interesting how they would fit the left-hander in the lineup, considering Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Eshan Malinga and Cummins are available.
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