No franchise owner in the IPL generates more genuine excitement than Kavya Maran — and that says everything about how SRH is run. She leans forward at auctions like a chess grandmaster mid-match, celebrates like a fan in the stands, and makes every SRH supporter feel like she’s one of them.
Behind that visible passion is one of India’s most powerful media empires. Sun TV Network — the South Indian broadcasting giant owned by her father, Kalanithi Maran — brings institutional strength and media savvy that few franchise operations can match.
And the results back it up. SRH’s brand value surged 80%+ in a single cycle. Their 2024 season was appointment television. The Sunrisers name now extends across three global leagues. The orange is spreading — and fast.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Overview Table
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) |
| Founded | 2013 (replaced Deccan Chargers) |
| Owner | Sun TV Network |
| Principal Owner | Kalanithi Maran (Chairman, Sun Group) |
| Operational Head / CEO | Kavya Maran (Exec. Director, Sun TV Network) |
| Kalanithi Maran Net Worth | USD 2–3 Billion |
| Brand Value (2026) | USD 154 Million (~₹1,332 Crore) |
| Brand Value Growth | 80%+ surge (2024-25 cycle) |
| Home Ground | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Captain (IPL 2026) | Pat Cummins |
| IPL Titles | 1 (2016 — under David Warner) |
| Global Franchises | Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA20 — 3x champions), Sunrisers Leeds (The Hundred) |
| Known For | Kavya Maran’s passionate leadership, bowling-first identity |
Who Owns Sunrisers Hyderabad?
Kalanithi Maran — The Architect
Kalanithi Maran is the Chairman and founder of Sun TV Network — one of Asia’s largest media conglomerates. Starting with a single Tamil-language channel, he built an empire spanning multi-language TV, radio, newspapers, film production, and digital media.
His net worth is estimated at USD 2–3 billion. In 2012, Sun TV Network acquired the Hyderabad IPL franchise (replacing the defunct Deccan Chargers) and launched Sunrisers Hyderabad.
His ownership philosophy: consistency, stability, and long-term brand value over short-term noise. The same discipline that built Sun TV Network is reflected in how SRH operates — calm, process-driven, and hard to knock off course.
Kavya Maran — The Face of SRH
Kavya Maran is the Executive Director of Sun TV Network and the operational head of all three Sunrisers franchises. She’s Kalanithi Maran’s daughter — and the next generation of the Sun Group’s sports empire.
Educated at Stella Maris College (B.Com) and NYU Stern School of Business (MBA), Kavya brings both corporate discipline and genuine passion. In 2025, she ranked #46 on Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in Business, appeared on The Hollywood Reporter India’s Women in Entertainment Power List, and was named in GQ’s 35 Most Influential Young Indians.
She functions as CEO in every meaningful sense — leading auction strategy, managing team culture, and representing SRH across all commercial and cricketing decisions. Her viral auction moments have made her one of cricket’s most recognisable personalities.
SRH Net Worth & Brand Value (2026)
Franchise Valuation & the Growth Story
SRH holds a brand value of approximately USD 154 million as of 2026. The headline number, though, is the growth rate — brand value surged over 80% in a single valuation cycle, driven by their extraordinary 2024 IPL season.
In 2024, SRH played some of the most aggressive, record-breaking cricket the IPL had ever seen — consistently posting massive totals and reaching the final under Pat Cummins. That entertainment value translated directly into viewership, which translated into commercial value.
SRH is reportedly responsible for approximately 65% of Sun TV Network’s total market capitalisation — a remarkable figure that shows how central the franchise has become to the parent company’s entire business.
Revenue Breakdown
| Revenue Source | Details |
| IPL Media Rights | Growing fast — SRH among most-watched in 2024 |
| Sun TV Media Advantage | Owned broadcast platform = promotional power |
| Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | Hyderabad home; large Telangana-Andhra fanbase |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | SA20 — 3-time champions & growing revenue |
| Sunrisers Leeds | The Hundred — UK cricket market access |
| Kavya Maran Brand | Viral personality drives massive social engagement |
Who Is the CEO of SRH?
Kavya Maran — Effective CEO of SRH
Kavya Maran effectively functions as the CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Her responsibilities cover squad strategy, auction planning, commercial partnerships, and cultural direction across all three Sunrisers franchises worldwide.
Her philosophy prioritises stability and process — she doesn’t make panic signings and doesn’t chase short-term headlines. SRH builds patiently, trusts its systems, and avoids unnecessary controversy. It’s a philosophy inherited from her father.
Pat Cummins captains the team into IPL 2026, and the Kavya-Cummins partnership — executive passion meeting tactical intelligence — makes SRH one of the most cohesive franchise operations in the league.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most searched questions about Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
Q: Who owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2026?
A: SRH is owned by Sun TV Network. Kalanithi Maran is the principal owner, while his daughter Kavya Maran leads franchise operations as effective CEO.
Q: What is SRH’s brand value in 2026?
A: SRH’s brand value is approximately USD 154 million (~₹1,332 crore) as of early 2026, following an 80%+ surge.
Q: Who is Kavya Maran?
A: Kavya Maran is the Executive Director of Sun TV Network and the effective CEO of SRH. She’s Kalanithi Maran’s daughter and one of India’s most prominent young business leaders.
Q: What is Kalanithi Maran’s net worth?
A: Kalanithi Maran’s net worth is estimated at USD 2–3 billion, built primarily on the Sun TV media empire.
Q: Has SRH won the IPL?
A: Yes. SRH won the IPL in 2016 under David Warner’s captaincy, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final. They were runners-up in 2018 and 2024.
Q: Who captains SRH in IPL 2026?
A: Pat Cummins captains Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026.
Q: Does SRH own other cricket teams?
A: Yes. The Sunrisers brand covers SRH (IPL), Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA20 — three-time champions), and Sunrisers Leeds (The Hundred).
Q: Why did SRH’s brand value surge 80%?
A: SRH’s record-breaking 2024 IPL season — reaching the final while playing the most aggressive cricket the league had seen — dramatically increased viewership and commercial interest.
Q: What is the Sun TV Network’s connection to SRH?
A: Sun TV Network is SRH’s parent company. SRH reportedly accounts for ~65% of Sun TV’s total market capitalisation — making cricket central to the media group’s business.
Q: What awards has Kavya Maran won?
A: Kavya Maran ranked #46 on Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women in Business (2025), appeared on The Hollywood Reporter India’s Women in Entertainment Power List, and was named in GQ’s 35 Most Influential Young Indians of 2025.
Final Thoughts
Sunrisers Hyderabad is built differently. Owned by a media giant, run by one of India’s most compelling young executives, and expanding the Sunrisers brand across three global leagues — this is a franchise with serious momentum.
Kavya Maran has made SRH feel personal. Kalanithi Maran has given it financial stability. Pat Cummins has given it tactical credibility. The 2016 title feels less like a distant memory and more like the first of several.
