Mumbai: Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad have announced replacements for injured players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, with Akash Deep and Jack Edwards ruled out of the tournament.

The IPL season is set to begin on March 28, and both franchises have acted swiftly to fill key gaps in their squads.

Akash Deep ruled out with stress injury

Akash Deep has been sidelined due to a lumbar stress injury, dealing a blow to KKR’s pace attack ahead of the new season. The India pacer will remain under the supervision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

In his place, KKR have signed Saurabh Dubey, a 28-year-old left-arm pacer from Vidarbha. Dubey, who is yet to make his IPL debut, joins the franchise for ₹30 lakh.

Interestingly, Dubey has previously been part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad setup, and will now look to make an impact with his new team.

SRH bring in David Payne

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad have roped in David Payne as a replacement for Jack Edwards, who has been ruled out with a foot injury.

Edwards was earlier signed by SRH for ₹3 crore following a bidding contest that also involved Chennai Super Kings.

Payne, an experienced England pacer, brings significant T20 experience to the squad. He has played over 230 T20 matches and claimed more than 300 wickets, in addition to representing England in limited-overs cricket.

He will join SRH for ₹1.5 crore, offering both depth and experience to their bowling unit.

Teams adjust ahead of season opener

With injuries impacting squad composition even before the tournament begins, teams are being forced to quickly reassess their combinations.

For KKR, the inclusion of Dubey provides a fresh option in the pace department, although his lack of IPL experience could be a factor. SRH, on the other hand, will rely on Payne’s experience to fill the void left by Edwards.

Conclusion

As IPL 2026 approaches, early injuries have already prompted strategic changes among franchises. While replacements have been secured, their performance will be closely watched as teams aim to start the season strongly.

The coming weeks will test squad depth and adaptability, with franchises hoping their new signings can step up under pressure.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)