In a world where public figures often seem to be in a constant sprint for attention, there’s something oddly refreshing — even disarming — about Kavya Maran. She doesn’t pose for paps at airport lounges, doesn’t make splashy statements in the press, and certainly doesn’t Instagram her every move. And yet, when the Indian Premier League season begins, her name becomes part of the national conversation. You’ll spot her — calm, composed, rarely distracted — sitting among a sea of orange-clad fans, fingers crossed, eyes laser-focused on every ball bowled. Whether Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is on a winning streak or teetering on the edge of elimination, her expressions speak louder than any press release. It’s this emotional candour, paired with razor-sharp business instincts, that makes her one of the most fascinating — and mysterious — figures in Indian sport. She’s not your average team owner, and this is no vanity project. Kavya Maran isn’t playing a role; she’s rewriting the playbook altogether. The Making of Kavya Maran Born in 1991 in Chennai, Kavya had a front-row seat to one of India’s most powerful media empires. Her father, Kalanithi Maran, is the founder and chairman of the Sun Group, a behemoth that stretches across television, radio, print, DTH, and cinema. Her mother, Kavery Maran, has long been recognised as one of India’s highest-paid and most formidable women in business. With that kind of pedigree, it would’ve been easy — expected, even — for Kavya to fade into the background, cushioned by privilege. But she didn’t. After schooling in Chennai and a degree from Stella Maris College, she set her sights on Warwick Business School in the UK. There, while many of her peers pursued careers in finance or consulting, Kavya quietly carved out her own blueprint — one that would eventually blend passion, intellect, and sports management. Those close to her say her time in the UK shaped more than just her résumé. It instilled a sense of professionalism that would later define her leadership style — methodical, empathetic, and devoid of unnecessary theatrics. CEO, But Not In Name Only Kavya officially took over as CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018, though she'd already been working behind the scenes for a while. Her appointment didn’t come with a press conference or photo shoot. Instead, it came with intent. Since her tenure began, the franchise has undergone a quiet but striking evolution. From back-end operations to branding, talent management to team culture, Kavya’s fingerprints are on every element of the SRH ecosystem. In 2024, when the team made it to the finals — finishing as runners-up in a dramatic season — her face, visibly emotional, was splashed across screens and social media timelines. But for those paying attention, it wasn’t just a viral clip. It was a window into how much she cared. Not from a distance, not from a boardroom — but from the thick of it. She’s not the sort to give locker-room speeches. Nor is she one for grand strategy leaks. Her influence is more textured — an invisible thread running through every major SRH decision, from captaincy calls to brand collaborations. The Subtle Flash of Billionaire Life While Kavya’s public persona is grounded and unassuming, her private life hints at generational wealth — albeit without the flamboyance seen elsewhere in the IPL circuit. Her garage could double as a collector’s dream: A Ferrari Roma, elegant and brutal in equal measure, valued at Rs 4.5 crore A Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII EWB, the definition of silent status, worth Rs 12.2 crore A Bentley Bentayga EWB, an SUV that glides rather than drives, priced at Rs 6 crore A BMW i7, which nods to sustainability without compromising luxury — all black, all electric Every car reportedly bears the number plate 1515 — a quiet family tradition, stitched into every detail. And yet, she’s never flaunted them. No magazine spreads. No social media teasers. Just understated opulence, tucked neatly behind privacy tinted glass. Inside the Maran Family Fortress Tucked away on Chennai’s prestigious Boat Club Road, the Maran family home is as secluded as it is expansive. Acquired in 2001 through a discreet auction from HSBC, the mansion now sits on real estate estimated at Rs 100 crore. Behind those high compound walls lies a property that’s elegant, not gaudy. Think wraparound verandas, manicured lawns, and muted interiors designed for comfort, not Instagram. Her father, meanwhile, works out of Murasoli Maran Towers, a towering structure named after Kavya’s late grandfather. Inside his 11th-floor office, an entire wall is rumoured to be filled with live television feeds — monitoring the 21 channels Sun Group broadcasts across four South Indian languages. This is not a family that rests on legacy. It builds on it, daily. Fun Facts You Won’t Find in a Press Kit No Instagram. No Twitter. No filters. Kavya is one of the very few high-profile businesswomen in India who has no public digital presence. Not a post, not a selfie. Tears That Broke the Internet: In 2023, after a crushing SRH defeat, cameras caught her wiping away tears. While some trolls mocked her for being “too emotional,” many lauded her for being real — a rare quality in a league run like a corporate machine. Warwick Alum with a Difference: While most IPL team owners inherited wealth or got into cricket through connections, Kavya is one of the only ones with a formal international business degree — and a vision to match. The Bigger Picture: The Maran Media Machine To understand Kavya, you must also understand the empire she’s being shaped to inherit. The Sun Group started in the early ’90s with a magazine and grew into a network that now dominates southern India’s media landscape. In 2006, the company went public, raising $133 million by selling just 10% of its shares. That move shot Kalanithi Maran into the billionaire’s club almost overnight. By 2023, his net worth was pegged at nearly Rs 25,000 crore. Along the way, the Marans briefly dabbled in aviation with SpiceJet, exited when the skies got too turbulent, and returned their focus to media and sports — two industries where control and creativity go hand in hand. Now, with Kavya at the helm of SRH and slowly stepping into broader leadership roles, the group’s next chapter appears firmly in motion. She’s Not Playing the Game. She’s Running It. Kavya Maran is not just the woman in the SRH dugout or the billionaire heir with a Ferrari. She’s a new kind of leader — one who values substance over spectacle, emotion over ego, and long-term impact over short-term noise. She might never sit for a tell-all interview. She probably won’t write a memoir or headline a leadership summit. But ask anyone who watches her closely — she’s changing the rules, quietly and surely. And maybe that’s what real power looks like now. Not louder, just smarter.