Sunrisers Hyderabad: History, Home Ground and Profile of the IPL Franchise

Sunrisers Hyderabad, commonly called SRH, are the Indian Premier League franchise representing Hyderabad. They were created in 2012 to replace Deccan Chargers, the original Hyderabad team, and have since become known for strong bowling attacks and, in recent seasons, aggressive batting. The team plays in orange and black.

How the franchise was formed

Deccan Chargers took part in the first five seasons of the IPL and won the title in 2009, but the franchise was terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2012 following a dispute over ownership and payments. A new franchise was then sold to Sun TV Network, a major Indian media group, and began competing from the 2013 season as Sunrisers Hyderabad. The new club is legally separate from Deccan Chargers, so the 2009 title is not counted among SRH’s honours.

Home ground

Sunrisers play at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, on the eastern side of Hyderabad. The venue hosts international matches and is known for a large and vocal crowd. In several seasons the pitch has been regarded as good for batting, with a fast outfield, though bowlers who use variation and slower deliveries can also find success there.

The 2016 title

As of the end of the 2024 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad had won the IPL once, in 2016, when David Warner captained the side and beat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final in Bengaluru. That season was built on a disciplined bowling unit and a top order that scored heavily. The team also finished as runners-up in 2018 and again in 2024, losing the 2024 final to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Record scores in 2024

The 2024 season gave the franchise a new reputation for powerful hitting. The team posted 287 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the highest total in IPL history, after already setting a record with 277 against Mumbai Indians earlier in the season. These totals were widely discussed as evidence of how much the style of play in the competition had changed.

Identity and fan base

The club has a strong following in the Telugu-speaking states, and its fans, known for the Orange Army name, have supported it through periods of changing personnel. Over the years the team has made a habit of producing bowlers of high quality and has been a regular presence in the knockout stages.