When Kavya Maran, daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran, saw SunRisers Hyderabad clinch a 36‑run victory over Rajasthan Royals, she could barely contain her excitement. The win in IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai punched the team’s ticket to a final against Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders.
Background: SunRisers Hyderabad’s Rise
SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) have come a long way since the franchise was bought for ₹420 million by the Maran family in November 2012. The team earned its first trophy in 2016 under the leadership of Kalanithi Maran. Fast‑forward to 2023, and the 29‑year‑old Kavya Maran took the reins, injecting fresh energy and a bold spending plan.
One of the boldest moves came at the December 19 2023 auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where SRH splashed ₹20.50 crore on Australian fast‑bowling all‑rounder Pat Cummins. That sum shattered the previous overseas record of ₹15.25 crore paid for Sam Curran in 2023, signalling that the Sun Group was serious about a title chase.
Qualifier 2: The Match Unfolds
The showdown kicked off at 7:30 PM IST on Friday, May 24, 2024. Rajasthan Royals (RR) opened their chase with a six off the very first ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, putting them on the board at 8/0 after a single over. The early fireworks set a brisk tone, but SRH’s new‑age captain Cummins responded with a textbook opening spell.
At 9:45 PM IST, Cummins bowled the first over of RR’s innings, handing them just five runs and a dot ball to Tom Kohler‑Cadmore and Yashasvi Jaiswal. An appeal for a caught‑behind off Kohler‑Cadmore was turned down, leaving RR at 13/0 after two overs. The tight spell proved decisive; RR never recovered the momentum.
SRH posted a modest 163/6 in 18 overs, thanks to a lightning‑quick 33‑ball half‑century from Heinrich Klaasen, who finished with 48 runs. The final over by Trent Boult proved costly, conceding 13 runs, but the total proved enough. RR fell short, ending at 127 all out, handing SRH a comfortable 36‑run win.
With the win, SRH secured their fifth IPL final appearance, joining the league’s elite. The victory was celebrated on the field with a lap around the stadium, captured by fans and posted across social media platforms.
IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 will be remembered not just for the scoreline but for the emotion that followed.
Post‑Match Emotions in the Dressing Room
At roughly 10:30 PM IST, the SRH dressing room buzzed with cheers. Cummins, still glowing from his spell, walked over to Kalanithi Maran, who was standing by the whiteboard. The moment was captured by the Republic of Games YouTube channel, showing Cummins pulling Kalanithi into a spontaneous hug.
What made the scene even sweeter was the surprise for Kavya Maran, who was perched on a nearby bench. Cummins turned to her, arms wide, and gave her a heartfelt hug that left her eyes welling up. The clip, titled “Pat Cummins surprised Kavya Maran father Kalanithi on Dressing Room after match,” went viral, underscoring the personal nature of the triumph.
Later, at around 10:35 PM, the team gathered for a quick interview. “We fought hard all season, and tonight we earned our spot in the final,” Cummins said, his voice still slightly hoarse from the exertion.
Final Showdown and Aftermath
Two days later, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, SRH faced Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match attracted a sell‑out crowd of over 100,000 spectators. Despite a valiant effort, SRH fell short, with KKR clinching the trophy.
The loss hit Kavya Maran hard. At approximately 10:15 PM IST, she entered the locker room, tears streaming, and delivered an impassioned speech to the players. “I had to come and tell you that we gave everything,” she said, wiping her face with the back of her hand. The moment was covered by Hindustan Times and NDTV Sports, highlighting the emotional weight of a franchise’s first title loss under her stewardship.
While the defeat stung, the season cemented Cummins’s legacy as a leader. He finished the tournament with 14 wickets at an economy of 7.30, and his captaincy was praised for calmness under pressure.
What the Record‑Breaking Auction Means
The ₹20.50 crore price tag on Cummins not only set a new benchmark for overseas talent but also sparked debates across the cricketing world. Analysts argued that the investment reflected a shift toward building teams around marquee players rather than a balanced squad.
- Previous record: ₹15.25 crore for Sam Curran (Punjab Kings, 2023).
- SRH’s total spend in the 2023‑24 auction: over ₹150 crore.
- Key domestic additions: Avesh Khan (₹12 crore) and Rahul Tripathi (₹3 crore).
Economists note that such spending elevates the IPL’s market value, drawing more international broadcasters and sponsors. For Sun Group, the bid was a statement of intent: the Maran family intends to keep SRH competitive for the foreseeable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kavya Maran’s ownership affect SRH’s 2024 season?
Kavya’s hands‑on approach led to aggressive player acquisitions, most notably the record‑breaking purchase of Pat Cummins. Her focus on building a strong core and investing in experienced overseas talent helped SRH reach the final, a notable improvement over the previous two seasons where they missed the playoffs.
What were the key moments that decided Qualifier 2?
The turning point was Cummins’s opening over, conceding only five runs and creating early pressure. Additionally, Heinrich Klaasen’s rapid 48‑run knock kept SRH’s total competitive, while RR’s middle‑order collapse after 10 overs sealed their fate.
Why is Pat Cummins’s captaincy praised despite the final loss?
Cummins displayed calm leadership, rotating bowlers wisely and backing young Indian talent like Avesh Khan. His tactical field placements and ability to motivate the squad after a tight qualifier earned him accolades from commentators and former players.
What does the record auction price mean for future IPL seasons?
The ₹20.50 crore tag raises the ceiling for overseas contracts, encouraging franchises to invest heavily in marquee names. It also pushes domestic players to up their market value, potentially widening the wage gap but also attracting more global stars to the league.
How did the fans react to SRR’s Qualifier 2 win?
Fans flooded social media with celebrations, creating memes of Kavya Maran’s ecstatic reaction. In Chennai, spontaneous street gatherings erupted, with supporters waving SRH flags and chanting the team’s anthem well into the night.
