IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran Addresses Viral Meme Fame, Passion for Team

Kavya Maran, the Face of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Embraces Her Viral Fame

Kavya Maran

Kavya Maran, CEO and co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has publicly addressed the viral reactions that have made her a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a subject of numerous internet memes. In a recent interview, Maran discussed the reasons behind her expressive displays during matches and how she perceives her role as a highly visible team owner.

Maran, daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran, first captured widespread attention during the 2023 IPL auction, where she spearheaded SRH's player acquisition strategies. Since then, her presence at SRH matches has become a focal point, with broadcasters frequently capturing her reactions to the on-field action. These moments have subsequently become viral sensations on social media.

"Those are my raw emotions that you're seeing because my job has brought me to the point that I have to put myself out there," Maran explained. "In Hyderabad, I can't do anything; I have to sit there. That's the only place I can sit. But even when I go to Ahmedabad or Chennai, and I'm sitting many feet away, somewhere in the box, the cameraman manages to find me. So, I understand how it becomes memes."

She emphasized her deep connection to the team's performance, stating, "When it comes to Sunrisers, I genuinely wear my heart on my sleeve. I think when you put your heart and soul into something, you naturally tend to get very personally attached to its successes and failures."

Under Maran's leadership, SRH's performance in the IPL has been a rollercoaster. After finishing at the bottom of the points table in 2023, the team rebounded in 2024, securing second place and reaching the final. The 2025 season saw a more moderate result, with SRH finishing mid-table after winning six of their fourteen matches.

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the IPL championship in 2016. Kavya Maran's time as owner has been characterized by both great moments and disappointments,

Beyond the IPL, Maran also manages the Sunrisers Eastern Cape franchise in South Africa's SA20 competition. This team has seen consistent success, winning the first two seasons in 2023 and 2024 under the captaincy of Aiden Markram.