Just days before IPL 2026 kicks off, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have acted swiftly to address a sudden gap in their squad. With injuries disrupting their plans, the franchise, led by owner Kavya Maran, has signed experienced English pacer David Payne as a replacement for Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards.

The timing of this move is crucial. SRH are set to open their campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With very little time left for preparation, the management clearly wanted an experienced option who could slot in immediately and deliver.

Why Jack Edwards got ruled out of IPL 2026?

The setback came in the form of an injury to Jack Edwards, who had been picked up by SRH for INR 3 crore in the auction. The 25-year-old all-rounder has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season due to a foot injury he sustained earlier this month while playing for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield.

It’s a particularly unfortunate moment for Edwards, who was just beginning to make his mark on the international stage. He made his T20I debut for Australia in January 2026 against Pakistan and followed it up with an impressive Big Bash League (BB:) season, where he picked up 19 wickets in 13 matches for the Sydney Sixers – finishing as one of the top performers.

Stepping into his place is David Payne, a seasoned left-arm seamer who brings both experience and consistency. Signed for INR 1.5 crore, Payne might not have had an extensive international career – having played just one ODI for England—but his T20 record is hard to ignore.

Across 233 T20 matches, Payne has claimed 304 wickets at an average of 21.16, maintaining an economy rate of 8.03. Known for his ability to strike early in the powerplay, he also possesses a clever slower ball, making him effective in both the early and middle overs. For a team like SRH, which relies heavily on disciplined bowling, Payne’s skillset could prove extremely valuable.

What makes this signing even more exciting is his recent form. Payne was the highest wicket-taker in the 2024 Vitality Blast, picking up 33 wickets and helping Gloucestershire lift the title. He then continued his success in franchise cricket, winning the ILT20 with the Desert Vipers in January 2026. Just weeks later, he delivered a match-winning performance in the Big Bash League final, taking 3 for 18 for Perth Scorchers and earning the Player of the Final award.

Also READ: Ishan Kishan discloses SRH’s blueprint for reaching the 300-run mark in IPL 2026

Leadership changes and early challenges for SRH

While Payne’s arrival strengthens the bowling unit, SRH are still dealing with multiple challenges at the start of their campaign. One of the biggest concerns is the absence of their captain Pat Cummins, who is recovering from a lumbar stress fracture and is expected to miss the initial matches.

In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been handed the responsibility of leading the side, with Abhishek Sharma named as vice-captain. This marks a significant moment for Kishan, who will be making his IPL captaincy debut.

Kishan comes into the role with confidence, having recently led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title and played an important role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph. His aggressive style of play and fearless approach could inject fresh energy into the SRH setup.

Despite the early setbacks, SRH still possess a balanced bowling attack. Alongside Payne, experienced Indian pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel will play key roles, supported by young domestic talent. The combination of experience and youth gives the team flexibility as they navigate the early phase of the tournament.

As the season begins, all eyes will be on how quickly SRH can adapt to these changes. While losing key players is never ideal, the addition of a proven performer like Payne could turn out to be a smart and timely move. If the team manages to find rhythm early, they still have every chance to start IPL 2026 on a strong note.

Also READ: SWOT analysis of Sunrisers Hyderabad – SRH’s report card ahead of the IPL 2026

The petroleum sector has urged industry stakeholders to explore ethanol as a clean cooking fuel for households, as part of broader efforts to reduce India’s dependence on imported LPG and expand the biofuel ecosystem.R S Ravi, Director (Downstream) at the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), raised the proposal while addressing the All India Distillers’ Association conference, pointing to ongoing research on ethanol-based cooking stoves, PTI reported.He said that “a lot of work is happening” at institutions such as the LPG Equipment Research Centre and several IITs to design efficient, ethanol-compatible stoves, with prototypes expected to be ready soon.Ravi called on the distillery industry to support the initiative by partnering with manufacturers to scale up stove production and by helping develop an effective supply chain that can deliver ethanol directly to households.“This is a different ballgame. As of now, the way you are supporting the oil industry is by supplying bulk… It needs to change,” he said.“How this supply chain is going to be developed, what form it needs to be delivered, the form factor is very critical.”He further added, “Can AIDA come forward and give us ideas in terms of how we make this ethanol as a cooking fuel possible in India?”The suggestion comes at a time when India has already rolled out 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. Ravi credited the distillery sector for enabling the programme and referred to a recent government notification mandating the sale of E20 petrol with a minimum Research Octane Number of 95 from April 1, 2026.The move towards higher-octane E20 fuel is expected to improve vehicle performance and efficiency while addressing concerns related to lower-octane blends.Ravi also urged the ethanol industry to speed up production of isobutanol for diesel blending and prepare for ethanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel pathways, though he stressed that the cooking fuel initiative should receive priority attention.Research bodies are already examining ethanol stoves as a cleaner alternative that could complement or partly replace LPG, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.He noted that shifting ethanol from bulk industrial supply to household distribution would require new logistics models, suitable packaging formats and reliable last-mile delivery systems.India has been aggressively promoting ethanol blending to cut crude oil imports, conserve foreign exchange, reduce emissions and support farmers. Expanding ethanol use to cooking fuel could further diversify demand and strengthen energy security.Ravi emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between the oil industry and distillers to make ethanol-based cooking a viable option in the country.

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Koneru Humpy and Criton Tornaritis

NEW DELHI: Top Indian Grandmaster (GM) Koneru Humpy has pulled out of the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, saying she doesn’t feel safe travelling for the event. Her decision has sparked criticism, especially from the Cyprus Chess Federation.Humpy explained her stance clearly as she wrote on X, “After deep reflection, I have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being. Despite the assurances provided, I do not feel fully secure under the current circumstances. This is a painful but necessary decision, and I stand by it.”The tournament, starting March 28, is a major event and the only route to the Women’s World Championship match. Humpy had qualified after finishing runner-up at the 2025 Women’s World Cup. However, concerns linked to regional tensions reportedly influenced her choice.

Strong reaction from organisers

Her withdrawal didn’t go down well with Cyprus Chess Federation President Criton Tornaritis, who publicly criticised her comments. Taking the matter to X, he said, “As President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, I am sincerely disappointed by Koneru Humpy’s decision to withdraw, citing that Cyprus ‘is not safe.”He strongly rejected her claims, adding, “The 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament is one of the largest and most important chess events in the world. This is simply incorrect. Spreading unfounded concerns harms the sport and shows a lack of respect for the organisers and the players who are participating. At the highest level of chess, decisions are based on calculation and facts, not on fear or misinformation. It was a bad move.”With Humpy out, Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk will take her place, as already confirmed by FIDE. There could also be consequences, including possible fines under FIDE rules if her reason isn’t accepted. Despite her absence, India will still have representation in the women’s tournament through R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh. In the open category, R Praggnanandhaa will be the sole flagbearer for India.