'I don't think anything can stop us' - Kavya Maran opens up on Sunrisers' expansion after The Hundred success

The Sunrisers Leeds owner, Kavya Maran, opened up about plans to expand the franchise after successfully securing 100 per cent control in the Northern Superchargers. Apart from owning the men's and the women's sides in The Hundred, the Sun Group also owns the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 in South Africa.

The Sun Group are the only owner after The Hundred privatisation to take complete ownership of a franchise from Yorkshire, unlike other entities that either own a 49 or 51 per cent stake in the side. Maran credited the working relationship that they have with the White Rose county ahead of this new long-term partnership.

"Very much so. I think that was something that we were clear even with the ECB from the start, and we have a very good relationship with the Yorkshire county. So I think even though we have 100 per cent, we have been working together with them and they have been a great partner to have on board," Kavya Maran said on Sky Sports.

With four teams already under their conglomerate, Maran wants to continue expanding the Sunrisers brand in the franchise cricket world. The owner takes many positives from the Leeds crowd embracing the orange rebranding after the team were called the Northern Superchargers for five years.

"Of course. I don't think anything can stop us now. It is a good beginning. I see a lot of orange and I think that is a great start for us. Obviously, this is a new brand for them. They used to be in a different colour. The great news is they seem to love the orange and that's exciting. I think that we just grow from here," Kavya Maran added.

The Sunrisers group of sides have been extremely successful in other leagues around the world. The Hyderabad-based side in the IPL has won one title in 2016 and have further reached the final twice, in 2018 and 2024. The Eastern Cape, on the other hand, are already SA20's most successful franchise, having won three out of the four seasons in South Africa.