Who Is the Owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad, the men in orange, are one of the Indian Premier League’s most passionately supported franchises. Behind the team’s journey from 2013 newcomers to 2016 champions lies one of India’s most powerful media empires. The franchise is owned by the Sun Group, the Chennai-based conglomerate headed by Kalanithi Maran, with his daughter Kavya Maran serving as the public face of the ownership. Here is the complete story.

The Sun Group: A Media Empire

Sunrisers Hyderabad are owned by Sun TV Network, part of the Sun Group, one of India’s largest media conglomerates. Founded by Kalanithi Maran, the group operates dozens of television channels across multiple Indian languages, along with FM radio stations, newspapers and digital properties. Its flagship, Sun TV, is among the most-watched channels in South India.

The group’s entry into the IPL came in 2012, when the Deccan Chargers franchise was terminated by the BCCI. Sun TV Network won the bid for the new Hyderabad franchise, reportedly paying a substantial sum for the rights, and Sunrisers Hyderabad were born for the 2013 season. It was a natural fit: a Hyderabad-based team owned by a South Indian media powerhouse.

Kalanithi Maran: The Man Behind the Franchise

Kalanithi Maran is one of India’s most successful media entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, the Sun Group grew from a single Tamil television channel into a diversified empire spanning broadcasting, print, radio and film production. His business acumen transformed a regional media house into a national powerhouse, and his foray into sports ownership followed the same ambitious pattern.

Maran himself maintains a low public profile, rarely seen at matches or in the media. The day-to-day visibility of the ownership rests with the next generation.

Kavya Maran: The Face of SRH

Kavya Maran, Kalanithi Maran’s daughter, has become one of the most recognizable figures in the IPL. As CEO and co-owner, she is a constant presence at Sunrisers matches, her reactions in the stands, joy, anguish and everything in between, making her a favourite of broadcast cameras and a beloved figure among the orange army.

But Kavya Maran is far more than a celebrity owner. She is actively involved in the franchise’s operations, from auction strategy to team management decisions. Her hands-on approach and genuine passion for the team have earned her respect across the league. Under her stewardship, the franchise made the bold call to appoint Pat Cummins as captain and rebuild the squad into one of the most exciting sides in the competition.

The Business of the Orange Army

The Sun Group’s ownership has given SRH formidable financial backing and unmatched media synergy. Matches receive extensive coverage across the group’s channels, and the franchise benefits from sophisticated marketing machinery. The team’s brand, built around Hyderabad’s identity and the passionate orange army, is among the strongest in the league.

On the field, the investment has delivered mixed but memorable returns. The 2016 title under David Warner remains the pinnacle, while the 2024 runners-up finish under Cummins, featuring record-breaking batting, reignited the fan base. The franchise has also been a consistent playoff contender through much of its history, a testament to largely sound management.

Ownership Decisions That Shaped the Team

Several ownership-level decisions have defined SRH’s trajectory. The appointment of Tom Moody as an early coach established professional standards, while the backing of David Warner through the mid-2010s created the title-winning core. The controversial decision to remove Warner from the captaincy in 2021 marked the end of an era, and the subsequent rebuild took time to bear fruit.

The Cummins gamble, however, showed the ownership at its boldest. Spending a record sum on the Australian and handing him the captaincy was a statement of intent, and the immediate transformation of the team’s fortunes vindicated the call. Through the 2026 season, the franchise looks well-positioned for sustained success, with an exciting squad and stable leadership.

Who is the owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad?

Sunrisers Hyderabad are owned by Sun TV Network, part of the Sun Group headed by Kalanithi Maran. His daughter Kavya Maran serves as CEO and the public face of the franchise.

What does the Sun Group own?

The Sun Group is one of India’s largest media conglomerates, operating television channels in multiple languages, FM radio stations, newspapers, magazines and film production businesses, in addition to the IPL franchise.

Who is Kavya Maran?

Kavya Maran is the daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and the CEO and co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad. She is actively involved in the team’s operations and is a beloved figure among SRH fans.

When did Sun Group buy the Hyderabad IPL franchise?

Sun TV Network acquired the Hyderabad franchise in 2012 after the Deccan Chargers were terminated, with Sunrisers Hyderabad debuting in the 2013 IPL season.

How many IPL titles has SRH won under Sun Group ownership?

Sunrisers Hyderabad have won one IPL title, in 2016 under captain David Warner, and finished runners-up in 2018 and 2024.

SRH’s Global Cricket Ambitions

The Sun Group’s sporting ambitions extend beyond the IPL. The group owns the Sunrisers Eastern Cape franchise in South Africa’s SA20 league, which has been remarkably successful, winning the league’s early editions. This global footprint gives the ownership valuable experience across different cricket markets and creates synergies in scouting, coaching and player development.

The SA20 success is instructive: it shows what the Sun Group’s model can achieve with the right leadership and squad building. Lessons from the Eastern Cape triumphs, particularly around auction strategy and team culture, have informed SRH’s own rebuild. For fans, the sister franchise’s success is a source of pride and a hint of what sustained excellence looks like.

The Ownership’s Relationship With Hyderabad

What sets the Sun Group’s ownership apart is how deeply it has rooted the franchise in Hyderabad’s identity. The team is not a generic corporate asset; it is Hyderabad’s team, embraced by a city with a rich cricket heritage. The orange army’s passion is among the most intense in the league, and the ownership has nurtured that bond through community engagement, local talent development and a consistent visual identity.

Kavya Maran’s visible emotional investment has strengthened this connection immeasurably. When the owner celebrates and suffers as openly as the fans, it creates a sense of shared journey that money alone cannot buy. Through the 2026 season, the relationship between the franchise, its owners and the city remains one of the IPL’s great success stories.

Does Sun Group own other cricket teams?

Yes. The Sun Group owns Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20 league, which has been one of that competition’s most successful franchises.

How much did Sun Group pay for SRH?

Sun TV Network won the bid for the Hyderabad franchise in 2012 with a bid reportedly worth over 850 million rupees for the franchise rights, a figure that looks like a bargain given today’s valuations.