New Delhi, 24 March (H.S.):

Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad announced key squad changes Tuesday ahead of IPL 2026 with KKR signing left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey for injured Akash Deep while SRH brought in English veteran David Payne to replace Jack Edwards.

Indian seamer Akash Deep sidelined by lumbar stress injury will rehab at BCCIs Bengaluru Centre of Excellence after taking 28 wickets in 10 Tests for India. The 28-year-old Vidarbha speedster Dubey joins KKR for Rs 30 lakh marking a big break in his career.

SRH meanwhile signed 35-year-old Payne for Rs 1.5 crore after Edwards injury with the England bowler offering proven T20 credentials 304 wickets in 233 matches and one ODI cap ready to feature from their opener as both franchises secure vital pace options before the tournament kicks off.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar