Sunrisers Hyderabad’s injury troubles deepened on Saturday as the franchise confirmed that English left-arm pacer David Payne has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026, with South African fast-bowling allrounder Gerald Coetzee named as his replacement.
Payne, 35, managed just two appearances for SRH this season, conceding 70 runs across five overs before an ankle injury cut short his campaign. The setback carries an added layer of irony, Payne himself had only arrived at SRH as a replacement for Australia’s Jack Edwards, who had withdrawn before the season opener due to a foot injury.
Coetzee, a right-arm pacer with 67 international wickets across four Tests, 14 ODIs, and 18 T20Is for South Africa, will join the Hyderabad franchise for INR 2 crore. The 24-year-old is no stranger to the IPL, having previously represented both Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. His stint with MI in 2024 was particularly impressive, 13 wickets in ten games, before a quieter outing with GT in 2025, where he claimed two wickets in four matches.
Most recently, Coetzee played in South Africa’s T20I series against New Zealand in March, picking up 3 for 31 in the fourth game to help his side to victory.
Payne’s exit marks SRH’s second major pace-bowling loss of the season. England allrounder Brydon Carse had already been sidelined with a hand injury sustained during a pre-season net session, never featuring in a game, with Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka brought in as his cover.
Despite the setbacks, there is a silver lining for the Orange Army. Captain Pat Cummins has been cleared to return after undergoing back scans in Sydney and could be available for their April 25 fixture against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
Currently sitting fifth on the points table with two wins from five games, SRH face their next challenge against Chennai Super Kings at home in Hyderabad on Saturday.
