For years, Kavya Maran has unintentionally become one of the most viral faces of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Her reactions, whether it’s visible joy after a thrilling win or the helpless frustration during a close loss, have made her a constant presence on fan pages and meme accounts.
Kavya, the Executive Director of Sun TV Network and CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), is not your typical franchise owner. She is not just present for photo ops or trophy ceremonies. Instead, she lives every ball from the VIP box with visible intensity.
Born into the Maran family, one of South India’s most influential business dynasties, Kavya has grown into her role in the IPL with a quiet resolve. What began as curiosity about the "mystery woman" in the owners’ box quickly turned into a stream of viral content each season, featuring her reactions. Now, for the first time, she has opened up about what that experience feels like from her side.
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Kavya Maran Opens Up on Her IPL Reactions Going Viral
In a conversation with Fortune India, Kavya opened up about something that has become an IPL season staple, her emotionally charged expressions during Sunrisers Hyderabad matches. Often turned into viral memes, her reactions from the stands are widely circulated online.
She gave a peek into the personal toll that comes with being a public figure in the cricketing world, especially when emotions run high and cameras never blink.
"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. In Hyderabad, I can’t do anything; I have to sit there. That’s the only place I can sit. But even when I go to Ahmedabad or Chennai, and I’m sitting many feet away, somewhere in the box, the cameraman manages to find me. So, I understand how it becomes memes," Kavya said as quoted in an interview with Fortune India.
Kavya also explained how her emotional investment in the team often spills over on camera, not deliberately, but because she is living every ball with her players.
"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," Kavya added.
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Kavya Maran’s Resume
Sunrisers Hyderabad, under Kavya Maran, have had a fair share of ups and downs. The franchise tasted glory in 2016, but since then, consistency has eluded them. In 2024, SRH reached the final, defying pre-season expectations. But the IPL 2025 season was another step back. The side missed out on the playoffs well before the group stage concluded.
Kavya also oversees the Sunrisers Eastern Cape franchise in the SA20 league, and there, the results speak for themselves. With Aiden Markram at the helm, the Eastern Cape outfit won the title in the inaugural 2023 season and backed it up with another championship in 2024.
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