One of the newer teams in the Indian Premier League, the Sunrisers Hyderabad came into existence in 2012 when the Deccan Chargers team based in the same city was terminated. They are owned by Kalanithi Maran of the Sun TV Network, which has extensive interests in media and entertainment.
The team won their only title in 2016, beating the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final. On four other occasions, the team made it to the playoffs but could not go all the way.
While the team has not managed to match some of the other giants in the IPL, the brand is a strong one, growing year on year till the Covid-19 pandemic forced a small decline in the overall valuation.
Established in 1992, the Sun TV Network has its headquarters in the southern Indian city of Chennai and is one of India’s biggest networks, with 33 television channels and 45 radio stations in its bouquet. The group has more than 1000 employees and is also in the business of producing feature films in several Indian languages.
The Sunrisers made their entry to South African cricket picking up the Eastern Cape team which will be based out of Gquerba (formerly Port Elisabeth), with St George’s Park Cricket Ground being their home venue.
They announced that Adrian Birrell would be the head coach of the team. The Makhanda-born Birrell has vast experience in coaching, having worked with Paarl Rocks, Hampshire, Ireland. Birrell has also coached in the Indian Premier League and worked with Eastern Province and the Warriors on the South African domestic circuit. Hemang Badani, the former Indian left-hand batsman, who is with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, would serve as batting coach while Dale Steyn was handed the role of bowling coach.
The Sunrisers were represented by Kaviya Maran, daughter of Kalanithi Maran, who has been actively involved in the cricket team in the Indian setup, at the auction held in South Africa.
The Eastern Cape team wears a balanced look, with a solid mix of homegrown and international talent. There are six Englishmen in the team and one player from the Netherlands, in Roelof van Der Merwe, who will need no introduction to South African audiences.
Aiden Markram, who lends great balance to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, opening the batting and bowling off-spin, will be at the forefront of the action for Eastern Cape. The exciting young Tristan Stubbs is one of the players of whom much will be expected. Stubbs was picked up at the auction for R9.2 million more than anyone else who came under the hammer. “It is crazy! I am still shaking,” Stubbs was quoted as saying immediately after the auction by IOL. “It is just awesome to be a part of this tournament. I would have loved to play for anyone, so just being a part of it is quite awesome.”
Marco Jansen, one of the most exciting allrounders in the world at the moment, will bowl his left arm swing and use the long handle when called for.
Sisanda Magala’s experience and accurate yorkers will come in handy with a wide variety of services.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have a reputation, over the years of loading the bowling department. They have often defended low scores and put pressure on the opposition with dry overs and regular wicket-taking. It remains to be seen whether the Eastern Cape team will also put much of its focus on bowling.