A recent video shared by Sunrisers Eastern Cape on X featuring Kavya Maran has sparked fresh conversation among cricket fans. In the clip, Kavya, who owns Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and is the daughter of Sun TV Network chairman Kalanithi Maran, delivers a powerful message to the “Orange Army.” But what truly caught attention is the timing. Just before IPL 2026, Kavya Maran acquired 100% ownership of the Northern Superchargers, a franchise in the UK’s The Hundred 2025 tournament, expanding Sun Group’s cricketing footprint across three continents.
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Why Are Fans Talking About the Video?
The video was short but impactful. In it, Kavya Maran, often referred to as the “Queen of the Orange Army,” faced the camera and confidently said, “This team is yours, Orange Army,” followed by the fiery tagline #PlayWithFire. While the message was meant for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, fans were quick to link it to something bigger: her recent Rs 1200 crore deal to buy the Northern Superchargers.
“This team is yours, Orange Army” – Ms. Kaviya Kalanithi Maran
🏴 is ready to #PlayWithFire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VjBGxiqDFW
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) July 30, 2025
Just weeks before IPL 2026, Maran made headlines by acquiring 100% ownership of the Northern Superchargers, a franchise in The Hundred 2025 tournament in the UK. The deal saw her take over 51% stake from Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the remaining 49% from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). With this bold move, the Sun Group now owns major cricket teams across India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom — a rare global cricketing trifecta.
Everything you need to know about the new team partners 🤝#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/4qq80SbKmB
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 30, 2025
Kavya isn’t the only IPL boss crossing borders. India’s cricket billionaires are expanding into The Hundred, sensing long-term commercial potential in the ECB’s fast-growing format. Sanjay Govil, the Indian-American businessman, has also invested in the Welsh Fire cricket team, while Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group, the force behind Lucknow Super Giants, have taken 70% ownership of the Manchester Originals team.
But Maran’s purchase of the Superchargers stands out not just for its size, but because it marks the first 100% franchise takeover by an IPL owner in The Hundred. As The Hundred 2025 approaches, fans can expect more crossover between global leagues and familiar faces in new jerseys.
What is The Hundred and Why Is Everyone Watching?
The Hundred is England’s fast-paced, reimagined version of cricket that aims to simplify the game and make it more accessible, especially to younger and newer fans. Each team plays a single innings of exactly 100 balls, with bowlers delivering either five or ten consecutive balls. The entire match wraps up in just two and a half hours, making it a perfect evening spectacle. The rules are designed to keep things moving quickly, including shorter powerplays, strategic timeouts, and free hits for no-balls. Even tactical decisions like bowling from the same end twice add to the strategic shake-up.
A warm welcome to our new team partners! 🩷 #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/pBkPia5jsw
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 30, 2025
Unlike traditional formats, The Hundred blends cricket with entertainment, complete with music, on-field interviews, and a lively stadium atmosphere. It’s cricket, but with the energy of a music festival and the precision of a chess match.
Northern Superchargers：A Team on the Rise
Before Kavya Maran’s bold Rs 1200 crore buyout, the Northern Superchargers were already starting to make waves in The Hundred. While they haven’t lifted the trophy yet, both the men’s and women’s teams have shown promise. The men’s side achieved their best-ever finish in 2024, coming in 4th place, narrowly missing out on the playoffs. The women’s team, on the other hand, came tantalisingly close in 2023, finishing as runners-up after a strong group-stage performance.
The squad isn’t short on star power either. The men’s team boasts the likes of Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, David Miller, Mitchell Santner, and spin wizard Adil Rashid. They’re coached by none other than Andrew Flintoff, adding a dose of English cricket royalty to the dugout. With a mix of explosive talent and solid experience, the Superchargers have always been considered one of the most entertaining sides in The Hundred 2025 circuit. Now, under Kavya Maran’s ownership, expectations are rising even higher, and fans are eager to see if the Sunrisers magic can finally charge this northern outfit to their first title.
What’s Next for Kavya Maran and the Superchargers?
With Kavya Maran now at the helm of the Northern Superchargers, the stage is set for an exciting new chapter in The Hundred 2025. Backed by the global experience of the Sun Group, which already owns Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, expectations are soaring. Fans are eager to see if her winning touch can spark a title run in the UK’s boldest cricket format. One thing’s clear: whether in India, South Africa, or England, Kavya Maran is quickly becoming a powerhouse name in global franchise cricket.
