Kaviya Maran is the head of the Sunrisers cricket business and one of the most recognisable faces at IPL auctions. Although she is often called the Sunrisers Hyderabad owner, the IPL lists Sun TV Network Limited as the franchise’s official owner.
She has been involved with SRH since its early years, long before her reactions during matches became popular online. Now, with player trades underway for IPL 2027, attention has returned to her work beyond the stadium.
Key Highlights
- Kaviya’s parents are Sun TV chairman Kalanithi Maran and executive director Kavery Kalanithi.
- She holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
- She became a Sun TV Network executive director in 2019.
- SRH won the 2016 IPL title and reached two more finals.
- In November 2026, SRH traded for Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis.
Who Is Kaviya Maran and What Is Her Family Background?
Her full name is Kaviya Kalanithi Maran. Her father, Kalanithi Maran, chairs the Chennai-based Sun TV Network, while her mother, Kavery Kalanithi, is an executive director.
Sun TV’s official director profile confirms that Kaviya earned an MBA at New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. She has been associated with Sun TV since 2016 and has served as executive director since 2019.
Claims about her personal net worth circulate online, but they should not be confused with the value of Sun TV or the cricket teams owned by the group.
What Does Kaviya Maran Do at Sun TV and Sunrisers?
Her work with SRH began in 2013. In a June 2025 interview with Fortune India, she recalled helping with the team’s logo, jersey, and marketing during its launch.
Her work now covers several areas:
- Media: Sun TV’s digital and streaming plans, alongside involvement in film production.
- Cricket: The Sunrisers brand and wider sports-business strategy, rather than only match-day appearances.
- Global teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20 and Sunrisers Leeds in England’s The Hundred.
She said much of the work happens before the tournament, rather than during its two-month run. She also addressed her widely shared television reactions in that interview. They were her “raw emotions”, she said, as she followed the team’s results. Coaches and cricket staff remain responsible for on-field decisions.
How Has Sunrisers Hyderabad Performed in the IPL?
SRH entered the IPL in 2013. The franchise’s official history records three final appearances, including its title-winning campaign in 2016.
| Year | SRH milestone |
| 2013 | First IPL season |
| 2016 | Won the title against Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2018 | Reached the final |
| 2024 | Finished as runners-up |
| 2026 | Qualified for playoffs; eliminated by Rajasthan Royals |
In 2026, SRH finished third in the league stage with nine wins and 18 points. Bengaluru and Gujarat also had 18 points, but finished above Hyderabad on net run rate. Rajasthan Royals then defeated them by 47 runs in the May 27 Eliminator. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 97 off 29 balls helped decide that match.
The franchise has also made expensive auction calls. SRH paid ₹20.50 crore for Pat Cummins ahead of IPL 2024. He captained the team to that season’s final. The fee was a franchise purchase, not Maran’s personal spending.
What Is the Latest SRH News Ahead of IPL 2027?
On November 5, 2026, the IPL confirmed a four-player trade between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings:
- SRH received: Khaleel Ahmed at ₹4.8 crore and Nathan Ellis at ₹2 crore.
- CSK received: Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards.
An earlier October 14 trade also returned T. Natarajan to SRH, with Zeeshan Ansari moving to Delhi Capitals. Khaleel previously played for Hyderabad from 2018 to 2021. The deals alter the bowling options available for IPL 2027, but do not confirm the final playing XI.
Beyond Hyderabad, Kaviya’s involvement with the Sunrisers teams in South Africa and England shows how the group’s cricket business has expanded. For confirmed squad changes, follow the official IPL news page, rather than unverified auction rumours.
FAQs
Who actually owns Sunrisers Hyderabad?
The IPL names Sun TV Network Limited as the franchise owner. Kaviya Maran leads the Sunrisers business and represents the team publicly, including at auctions.
Who are Kaviya Maran’s parents?
Kalanithi Maran, chairman of Sun TV Network, is her father. Her mother is Kavery Kalanithi, an executive director at the same Chennai-based media and entertainment company.
What did Kaviya Maran study?
Her official Sun TV director profile confirms an MBA from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University. Earlier qualifications are not detailed there.
When did Kaviya Maran start working with SRH?
She has described helping with the team’s branding from its 2013 launch. Her association with Sun TV began in 2016, followed by a directorship in 2019.
Did Sunrisers Hyderabad win IPL 2026?
No. SRH qualified for the playoffs but lost to Rajasthan Royals in the May 27 Eliminator. Its only IPL title to date came in 2016.
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