The Sunrisers Hyderabad are one of the most popular and successful franchises in the history of IPL. The Sunrisers Hyderabad a.k.a the Orange Army was not part of the original eight teams in IPL history. Instead the Sunrisers Hyderabad was founded back in 2013 after the BCCI made the former Hyderabad franchise the Deccan Chargers defunct due to legal issues. The Sunrisers Hyderabad owned by the Sun Group instead entered the IPL starting from 2013. In their 12 years in...
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been one of the most consistent sides in the Indian Premier League since their inception. Unlike other IPL franchises, the Sunrisers Hyderabad isn’t one of the founding teams in the league. Instead, the franchise joined the league in 2013 as a replacement for the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. Despite being one of the newer teams, SRH quickly earned a reputation for their disciplined bowling unit, strategic gameplay, and producing match-winners under pressure.
The franchise rights were acquired by SUN TV Network, one of India’s largest television networks, after the BCCI terminated the Deccan Chargers’ contract in 2012 due to financial issues. SUN TV Network bought the Hyderabad franchise for ₹85.05 crore (approx. US$15.9 million) per year for a five-year deal.
In their very first season in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad impressed by reaching the playoffs. This early success laid the foundation for what was to come. However, the true breakthrough came in 2016 when they lifted their maiden IPL trophy under the leadership of Australian opener David Warner. With a bowling unit led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and impactful batting performances from Warner and others, SRH became known as one of the best bowling sides in the tournament.
Over the years, the franchise has consistently made it to the playoffs, reaching the final again in 2018, only to lose to a dominant Chennai Super Kings side. While the team faced a few lean seasons post-2020, SRH underwent a transition with a strong focus on youth, new leadership, and revamping their squad dynamics.
The team is known for its resilience, its ability to punch above its weight, and for unearthing domestic talents like T Natarajan, Abdul Samad, and Umran Malik. With a loyal fanbase and a strong brand image, the Sunrisers remain one of the most followed and competitive sides in the league.
SRH’s leadership journey has witnessed some of the calmest thinkers and aggressive tacticians. From Sangakkara’s calm presence to Warner’s firepower and Williamson’s composure, the franchise has trusted captains with strong cricketing intellect. Here's a season-wise summary of SRH's captains and vice-captains:
For the first two seasons of Sunrisers Hyderabad, the franchise was captained by the Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara and Aussie great Cameron White. Both Sangakkar and White shared captaincy duties in the first year owing to injuries. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad were a strong unit and under Sangakkara they managed to reach the playoffs, where they lost to Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2. In 2014, captaincy rotated between Darren Sammmy and Shikhar Dhawan and due to instability, the Sunrisers missed out on a playoff spot.
Arguably the most iconic figure in SRH’s history, David Warner transformed the team from a mid-table contender into champions. The aggressive Australian opener took charge in 2015 and immediately gave the side direction and consistency. In 2016, Warner led SRH to their only IPL title, finishing the season with 848 runs. His leadership style was aggressive and infectious, and under his captaincy, SRH became one of the toughest bowling units in IPL.
Across his tenure, Warner captained SRH in 69 matches, winning 35 and losing 32, making him one of the franchise's most successful captains. There is no denying that David Warner is the greatest captain and the greatest player in history of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise. However, given he was banned from cricket for two years due to sandpaper scandal, his captaincy was cut short, and his dip in performances meant he was sacked midway by SRH.
The elegant New Zealand batter brought a completely different dimension to SRH’s leadership with his calm demeanour and tactical nous. In Warner’s absence in 2018, Williamson took charge and led the team to the final, scoring over 700 runs himself. Though the team fell short in the final, Williamson’s leadership was widely appreciated.
He was often handed the captaincy in turbulent phases—especially in 2021 when Warner was dropped midway. Despite his efforts, SRH finished last in 2021 and struggled again in 2022. Nevertheless, Kane remains a respected figure in the SRH camp and one of the most composed leaders in the league.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad thought Aiden Markram was the answer to their woes as they handed the captaincy to the Protea opening batter, but the team struggled miserably during his tenure and finished plum last in the IPL standings meaning he was no longer, deemed fit to captain the side.
Sunrisers Hyderabad broke the bank for Pat Cummins in the 2024 IPL auction when they bought him for more than 20 Crore INR. Pat Cummins had only just led Australia to an improbable ODI World Cup win in 2023 against India in the final. His stock as a captain had never been higher and SRH trusted their gut and named Cummins their skipper.
Pat Cummins completely transformed the culture of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and they took the IPL by storm with their ultra aggressive batting style and approach. Their attacking batting saw them score towering totals of 287 runs, the shot making was unbelievable and they made their way through to the finals where they lost in the end to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
*Note: Pat Cummins' stats are from IPL 2024 only. 2025 season is still in progress.
Since making their IPL debut in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad have quickly built a reputation as one of the most consistent and competitive franchises in the league. With a title win in 2016 and multiple playoff appearances, SRH have often punched above their weight, thanks to disciplined bowling units and dependable top-order batters. Here’s a closer look at their notable records:
Despite being a relatively newer team in comparison to some of the IPL stalwarts, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been part of several exciting rivalries over the years. These encounters have not only shaped the narrative of the IPL seasons but have also created long-lasting memories for fans. Let’s look at SRH’s most notable rivalries:
Perhaps the fiercest rivalry involving SRH, this one was forged in the fire of the 2016 IPL final, where Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win their maiden IPL title. Since then, the two sides have consistently played out intense battles. SRH’s structured bowling has often clashed with RCB’s explosive batting in high-stakes matches.
While, Sunrisers Hyderabad has been in poor form in 2025 season, their team continues to be a thorn in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s side. There’s no denying that 2016 final, in which SRH stole the victory from under RCB’s nose was the high point of the rivalry and since then each match between them has been fierce.
SRH leads the head-to-head battle with a marginal 52% win rate over RCB’s 44%, reflecting just how evenly matched these two teams have been over the years.
The clash between the Orange Army and the Yellow Brigade has always been a treat for IPL fans. CSK’s seasoned squad led by MS Dhoni has often posed challenges for SRH, but Hyderabad have managed to pull off key wins in crunch matches. The 2018 season saw SRH lose all four matches against CSK, including the final, which further ignited this competitive rivalry.
The Chennai Super Kings have dominated this rivalry with getting wins against the Sunrisers Hyderabad whenever it has mattered the most. In 2025, both teams that are used to fighting each other in the Playoffs, have failed to match the expectations and are fighting in the bottom half of the table.
The rivalry between SRH and KKR has grown over the years, especially due to their neck-to-neck encounters and playoff clashes. While KKR had the upper hand in the early years, SRH have managed to even the scales in recent seasons with explosive performances at home and away.
In 2024, both Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders were the two best teams in the league and shared a thrilling rivalry with one another. The teams were evenly matched and had some fiery playoff encounters. However, in Qualifier 1 and the finals, the Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious in both the matches and lifted the Tata IPL 2025 crown.
The journey of Sunrisers Hyderabad as a franchise has been strategically managed through stable ownership and strong commercial backing. Their brand has evolved steadily, with solid investments in performance and marketing both on and off the field.
Ownership: SUN Group
Sunrisers Hyderabad is owned by SUN Group, one of India’s largest media conglomerates, led by Kalanithi Maran. The franchise was introduced in 2013 after the termination of the Deccan Chargers. Under the ownership of SUN Group, SRH has been molded into a disciplined, performance-driven unit.
SUN Group acquired the Hyderabad-based IPL franchise for an estimated ₹85 crore per year contract, initially valid for five seasons. However, their commitment extended beyond that, resulting in long-term stability. The ownership has ensured robust cricketing operations and a strong backroom staff over the years.
The strategic hiring of players like David Warner, Kane Williamson, and Rashid Khan under the Sun Group’s leadership has helped SRH reach multiple playoffs and a title win in 2016.
Although the franchise owned by SUN Group that is led by Kalanithi Maran, the operations of the Sunrisers Hyderabad are overseen by Kavya Maran. Kavya Maran is on the forefront at the auction table and team building. However, she is considered to be over involved in sporting decisions that have often led to some bad consequences for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s consistent performances and growing fanbase have made them a strong commercial property. The franchise has drawn partnerships from various sectors, from tech to FMCG, reflecting their expanding influence in Indian cricket’s commercial landscape.
SRH has partnered with various title sponsors that have significantly boosted the franchise’s revenue and outreach.
Red FM (2013) – The initial title sponsor, reflecting SRH's media roots.
Coolwinks (2019) – Eyewear brand which aimed at tapping into younger audiences.
JK Lakshmi Cement (2020) – Marked a period of commercial strengthening.
Cars24 (2021) – Used car marketplace targeting youth viewership.
BKT Tyres (2022–2023) – Industrial partner aligning with SRH’s durable performance ethos.
ACKO Insurance (2024) – A digital-first partner looking to engage with tech-savvy fans.
Kent RO (2025) – The latest title sponsor for the 2025 season, offering a perfect blend of visibility and trust.
Dream 11 (2025) - Just like many other IPL franchises, Dream 11 occupies the main title spot on the Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey.
SRH have developed a loyal and passionate fan base over the years. Their consistent performances and a distinct team culture revolving around fighting spirit and sportsmanship have helped them win hearts, especially in South India.
The franchise enjoys massive support in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Hyderabad, their home base. The team’s social media presence continues to grow with star players like Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and Heinrich Klaasen bringing international flavor to their squad.
Moreover, Sunrisers Hyderabad's smart use of social media has enabled them to interact with fans in Telugu and English, further boosting their regional appeal. The addition of global stars and retention of core Indian players has also helped strengthen their identity as a balanced and fan-first franchise.
As of May 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s combined social media following stands at 16.9 Million, marking steady growth across platforms.
Given the Sunrisers Hyderabad were founded back in 2013, it is understandable why their fan base pales in comparison to the legacy teams like the Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians or the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The only founding team that has a smaller fan base compared to the Sunrisers Hyderabad is the franchise that won the inaugural edition of the TATA IPL that is the Rajasthan Royals.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad used to be one of the most disciplined, pragmatic and well oiled units under the leadership of David Warner. They used to be a team that had the bowling to defend totals as low as 130. But in the recent years under the leadership of Pat Cummins and the coaching of Daniel Vettori, the Sunrisers Hyderabad have taken a massive turn in their intent.
They play an all guns blazing attacking brand of cricket that defined how the IPL was being played in 2024. But in 2025 their strategy of top heavy approach and all out attack didn’t quite work so it will be interesting to see whether the ownership will stick with Pat Cummins and the same approach. Can the Sunrisers Hyderabad mount a comeback and reach the pinnacle of the league once again?
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