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

Kavya Maran, CEO and co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has opened up about the internet memes spawned from her expressive reactions during IPL matches. In a recent interview, Maran addressed how her genuine emotions, amplified by the ever-present cameras, have turned her into a viral sensation.

Maran, daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran, first captured public attention during the 2023 IPL auction, where she spearheaded SRH's strategic player acquisitions. Since then, her presence at SRH games has become a focal point, with her reactions to the on-field drama frequently circulating on social media.

She explained, "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... the cameraman manages to find me. So, I understand how it becomes memes."

Maran further elaborated on her deep connection to the team, 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 ride.

• In 2023, the franchise finished at the bottom of the points table, a disappointing outcome considering the perceived strength of the squad.
• However, they rebounded impressively in 2024, securing second place and advancing to the final.
• The 2025 season saw a more moderate performance, with SRH finishing mid-table after winning six of their fourteen matches, missing out on the playoffs.

SRH's crowning achievement remains their IPL championship victory in 2016. Kavya Maran's tenure has been characterized by both periods of struggle and moments of brilliance.

Beyond the IPL, Maran also oversees the Sunrisers Eastern Cape franchise in South Africa's SA20 competition. This venture has yielded more consistent success, with the team clinching the title in both the inaugural 2023 and 2024 seasons under the captaincy of Aiden Markram.