Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Kavya Maran on Viral IPL Reactions: 'Cameraman Finds Me!'

Kavya Maran

Kavya Maran, CEO and co-owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has addressed the phenomenon of her reactions during Indian Premier League (IPL) matches becoming viral internet memes. In a recent interview, Maran explained that these candid moments reflect her genuine emotional investment in the team's performance, amplified by the ever-present cameras of broadcasters.

As the daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran, Kavya 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 fixture, with her spontaneous reactions to the on-field action quickly finding their way onto social media platforms.

Addressing the attention, Maran stated, "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."

She further elaborated on her connection with the team: "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 has experienced a rollercoaster of fortunes in the IPL. While the team's overall performance has been inconsistent, there have been moments of brilliance.

Following a disappointing last-place finish in 2023, despite a seemingly strong roster, SRH demonstrated a significant turnaround in 2024. The team secured second place in the league standings, ultimately reaching the final.

However, the 2025 season saw SRH settle into a mid-table position, winning six of their fourteen matches and missing out on the playoff stages.

SRH's crowning achievement remains their 2016 IPL championship victory. The team's journey under Kavya Maran's direction continues to be defined by both triumphs and setbacks.

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