Sunrisers Hyderabad: History, Squad, Records & IPL Legacy

Sunrisers Hyderabad are a professional cricket franchise based in Hyderabad, India, competing in the Indian Premier League. Founded in 2012 after replacing the Deccan Chargers, SRH won their maiden IPL title in 2016 under David Warner’s captaincy. The team holds the record for the highest IPL total of 287/3.

Currently captained by Pat Cummins and coached by Daniel Vettori, Sunrisers Hyderabad have reached three IPL finals and qualified for the playoffs seven times. Their home ground is the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

Team Overview Who Are Sunrisers Hyderabad?

Sunrisers Hyderabad (stylised as SunRisers Hyderabad, abbreviated SRH) are a professional franchise cricket team representing Hyderabad, Telangana, in the Indian Premier League. The franchise is owned by Kalanithi Maran of the SUN Group, one of India’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates. The team was founded on 18 December 2012 after the previous Hyderabad-based franchise, Deccan Chargers, was terminated due to prolonged financial issues.

Franchise History From Deccan Chargers to SRH

The story of Sunrisers Hyderabad is intrinsically linked to the downfall of the Deccan Chargers. In 2012, the Deccan Chargers were terminated by the IPL due to prolonged financial issues. The Sun TV Network won the bid with ₹85.05 crore (approximately US$15.9 million) per year for a five-year deal, securing the rights to the new Hyderabad franchise.

The squad was announced in Chennai on 18 December 2012, and the team made their first IPL appearance in 2013. They retained 20 players from the Chargers squad, including Kumar Sangakkara as captain. The logo was unveiled on 20 December 2012, and the team anthem, composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, was released on 12 March 2013.

In their debut season, Sunrisers Hyderabad finished fourth in the points table – a promising start for the new franchise.

The Captaincy Carousel Finding Stability

The early years were marked by instability in leadership. In the first two seasons, SRH trialled four different captains: Kumar Sangakkara, Cameron White, Daren Sammy, and Shikhar Dhawan. While the bowling attack was formidable, the team struggled to find its best playing XI.

Everything changed in 2015 when David Warner was appointed captain. Though the team finished sixth that year, Warner retained the captaincy based on his own stellar performances with the bat. This decision proved transformative. In 2016, Warner led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title. The combination of Warner, head coach Tom Moody, mentor VVS Laxman, and bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan worked like a well-oiled machine. Rashid Khan also became an integral part of the side during this golden period.

The team reached another final in 2018 despite Warner’s absence – a testament to the squad’s depth and resilience. However, the 2021 season marked a low point. Warner was dropped from the side, Kane Williamson took over captaincy, and SRH won just three of 14 games, finishing at the bottom of the table. That season also ended the team’s association with both Warner and Rashid Khan.

Since 2024, Australian pace ace Pat Cummins has been installed as captain, leading the side to the final in his first season at the helm.

SRH have an impeccable record against Punjab Kings at home, with 9 wins in 10 games. The stadium has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in IPL history, including SRH’s record-breaking 287-run total against RCB in 2024.

Squad Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2026

Captain and Leadership

Pat Cummins is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2026. However, Cummins will miss the first few games due to recovery from a back injury. Ishan Kishan has been named as the stand-in captain in Cummins’ absence, with Abhishek Sharma appointed as Kishan’s deputy.

Full Squad (IPL 2026)

Coaching Staff The Brains Behind the Orange Army

2016 IPL Titl The Fairytale Run

Sunrisers Hyderabad remain the only team to win the IPL trophy coming from the Eliminator in the Playoffs. After finishing third on the points table, SRH won three knockout games on the trot to clinch their maiden title. In the final, they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 runs.

2024 A Record-Breaking Season

The 2024 campaign was historic for SRH. They smashed the highest team total in IPL history – 287/3 against RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Travis Head scoring a breathtaking century. They breached the 260-run mark five times – more than any other team in IPL history. The season ended with a runner-up finish.

2025 Season

SRH finished sixth in the points table with six wins from 14 matches. Heinrich Klaasen scored the most runs (487), while Pat Cummins and Harshal Patel took 16 wickets each. Despite a slow start winning just one of their first five games they finished strongly with three consecutive wins.

Current Status IPL 2026

As of the 2026 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad are off to a strong start. The team currently sits third in the points table with 9 wins from 15 matches and a win percentage of 60%.

With Pat Cummins recovering from injury, Ishan Kishan has led the side admirably. The batting unit has fired on all cylinders – Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan have both scored over 600 runs each, while Abhishek Sharma has amassed 563 runs at a strike rate of over 200.

Among the bowlers, newbie fast bowlers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain have impressed, while Eshan Malinga has taken 20 wickets and features in the top ten wicket-takers’ list.

FAQs

1. When was Sunrisers Hyderabad founded?
Sunrisers Hyderabad were founded on 18 December 2012, following the termination of the Deccan Chargers franchise. The team made their IPL debut in the 2013 season and reached the playoffs in their very first year.

2. How many IPL titles have Sunrisers Hyderabad won?
Sunrisers Hyderabad have won one IPL title, which came in 2016. They defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 8 runs in the final. SRH remain the only team to win the trophy after coming through the Eliminator.

3. Who is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026?
Pat Cummins is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2026. However, he is missing the initial matches due to a back injury. Ishan Kishan has been named as the stand-in captain in Cummins’ absence.

4. Who is the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad?
Daniel Vettori is the head coach and Director of Cricket for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has been with the franchise since 2024 and led them to the final in his first season.

5. What is the highest team total scored by Sunrisers Hyderabad?
Sunrisers Hyderabad hold the record for the highest-ever IPL team total – 287/3, scored against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Travis Head scored a breathtaking century in that innings.

6. Where do Sunrisers Hyderabad play their home matches?
Sunrisers Hyderabad play their home matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 39,200 spectators.

7. Who owns Sunrisers Hyderabad?
Sunrisers Hyderabad are owned by the Sun TV Network, part of the SUN Group, led by Kalanithi Maran. The group acquired the franchise for ₹85.05 crore per year for a five-year deal.

8. Who is the leading run-scorer for Sunrisers Hyderabad?
David Warner is the leading run-scorer for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He won the Orange Cap three times – in 2015, 2017, and 2019 – and captained the team to their maiden IPL title in 2016.

9. What is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s record at their home ground?
At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad have played 63 matches, winning 37 and losing 24, with one tie and one no-result. They have a particularly strong record against Punjab Kings, winning 9 out of 10 matches.

10. Why are Sunrisers Hyderabad called the “Orange Army”?
Sunrisers Hyderabad are affectionately called the “Orange Army” by their fans, named after the team’s distinctive orange jersey. The franchise’s motto, “Play With Fire,” reflects their fearless and aggressive brand of cricke

CONCLUSION

Sunrisers Hyderabad have come a long way since their inception in 2012. From inheriting a struggling franchise to becoming IPL champions in 2016, SRH have consistently been one of the most competitive teams in the tournament. Their journey has been defined by resilience whether it was David Warner leading a fairytale title run, reaching the final without their captain in 2018, or Pat Cummins steering them to another final in 2024.

What makes SRH truly special is their evolution. Once known as bowling specialists who defended low totals, they have transformed into one of the most fearsome batting lineups in T20 cricket holding the record for the highest IPL total and consistently breaching the 260 run mark. The “Play With Fire” philosophy embodies this fearless, aggressive brand of cricket that has won them millions of fans worldwide.

As IPL 2026 unfolds, with Pat Cummins returning from injury and a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan, Sunrisers Hyderabad are well-positioned to challenge for their second IPL title. The Orange Army’s passion, the team’s relentless ambition, and the city of Hyderabad’s unwavering support make SRH one of the most exciting franchises to watch. One thing is certain when Sunrisers Hyderabad take the field, they play with fire.

Grace Mitchell