Sunrisers Hyderabad’s owner, Kavya Maran, delivered an inspiring and emotional address to her cricket team following their heart-wrenching loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday. The match saw SRH bowled out for a mere 113 runs, marking the lowest total ever recorded in the history of IPL finals. In contrast, KKR chased down the target effortlessly in just 10.3 overs, securing the championship with eight wickets in hand and claiming their third IPL title, the first since 2014.
The emotional weight of the loss was palpable in the SRH camp, with Kavya Maran visibly breaking down into tears as the match came to a close. Despite her own heartbreak, she took the opportunity to address her players in the dressing room, offering a message of solace and encouragement.
In a video posted by the franchise, Kavya stood before her disheartened players and began her speech by emphasizing her pride in their efforts throughout the tournament. “You all have made me so, so proud. I had to come here and tell you that. Really, I mean, you’ve redefined how we play T20 cricket. And everyone is talking about us,” she remarked, her voice filled with genuine admiration for her team’s performance. She acknowledged that the loss occurred on what could be termed as an ‘off-day,’ but she made it clear that their journey had been remarkable.
“You all have redefined how T20 cricket is played,” Kavya told the players. “Even though we did not end up on the winning side today, the way you played during the tournament is being talked about everywhere. You have created a buzz, and for that, I can’t thank you enough,” she continued. Kavya appreciated their efforts with both the bat and ball, reassuring them that despite finishing last in the previous season, they had managed to gather an impressive following and respect from the fans and the cricketing community at large.
While acknowledging the inevitable disappointment stemming from the tournament final, Kavya encouraged her team to hold their heads high.
. “Everyone is talking about us. Even if KKR won, everyone would be talking about the style of cricket we’ve played,” she insisted. “Thank you, guys. Take care, and don’t look disheartened. We played in the finals. It wasn’t just any other game,” she concluded, striking a hopeful note for the future.
This season, SRH revolutionized their batting approach, making it both robust and exciting. Before this edition, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)’s score of 263/5 held the record for the highest team score in IPL history. Remarkably, this benchmark was surpassed four times this season, with Sunrisers contributing three of those record-shattering totals.
Throughout the league stage, SRH showcased a commendable performance. They finished in second place with 17 points from 14 matches, reflecting consistent quality in their gameplay. Their journey to the final included a hard-fought Qualifier 1 against KKR, where they were outclassed, losing by 8 wickets while attempting to defend a total of 159. However, they bounced back in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, claiming a solid victory by 36 runs, which solidified their spot in the final showdown.
Despite their ultimate defeat, Kavya Maran’s pep talk served as a poignant reminder of the strides SRH had made throughout the season. Her words of encouragement and acknowledgment of their significant achievements were aimed at rebuilding their shaken spirits and reigniting the passion for the game within the team.
The video of Kavya’s speech has since resonated widely, eliciting emotional responses from fans and cricket enthusiasts, who have lauded her for her heartfelt support and leadership during such a challenging moment.
As the dust settles on this IPL season, one thing is clear—Sunrisers Hyderabad, guided by the unwavering support of their owner, Kavya Maran, will be back stronger, aiming to build on the lessons and experiences of this season, and ready to redefine the narrative in the tournaments to come.
