The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a celebration of cricketing excellence, entertainment, and passion. Among the ten franchises, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)—popularly known as the Orange Army—stands out as one of the most consistent and competitive teams. Based in Hyderabad, Telangana, SRH made their IPL debut in 2013 and quickly rose to prominence by winning the IPL 2016 title.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) : The Orange Army of the IPL
Known for their disciplined bowling attacks, explosive batting at the top, and loyal fanbase, SRH have built an identity as a team that punches above its weight. Though they have faced ups and downs in recent seasons, their legacy as fighters and entertainers remains intact.
The Birth of Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH came into existence in 2012, replacing the Deccan Chargers, a franchise terminated by the BCCI due to financial issues. The team is owned by the Sun Group, led by Kalanithi Maran, one of India’s leading media barons.
The franchise was officially introduced in December 2012, and their logo—a rising eagle with wings spread—symbolizes strength, vision, and new beginnings.
Their team colors are orange and black, representing energy, enthusiasm, and aggression. Fans proudly call themselves the Orange Army, and the slogan “Rise Up to Every Challenge” reflects the team’s fighting spirit.
Debut Season: IPL 2013
SRH made an instant impact in their debut season.
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Captain: Kumar Sangakkara initially led the side, before Cameron White took over.
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Bowling Strength: Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma, and Amit Mishra formed a deadly bowling trio.
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Performance: They finished fourth on the points table and qualified for the playoffs.
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Playoffs: SRH lost in the Eliminator to Rajasthan Royals but impressed everyone with their balanced squad.
This strong debut set the stage for SRH’s journey as a competitive franchise.
IPL 2016: The Championship Season
The highlight of SRH’s history came in 2016, when they lifted their first and only IPL trophy.
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Captain: David Warner, the explosive Australian opener, led from the front.
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Key Performers:
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Warner scored 848 runs, second only to Virat Kohli’s record-breaking 973.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar won the Purple Cap with 23 wickets.
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Mustafizur Rahman’s mystery bowling was crucial in the middle overs.
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Final Showdown: In the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Warner’s attacking 69 and a disciplined bowling effort helped SRH defend 208, despite Kohli and Gayle’s fiery start.
This triumph made SRH champions within just four years of their existence, cementing their place among IPL’s elite franchises.
Consistency in the Playoffs (2016–2020)
After their 2016 victory, SRH became one of the most consistent teams in the IPL.
2017
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar once again won the Purple Cap with 26 wickets.
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SRH reached the Eliminator but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.
2018
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Kane Williamson took over the captaincy after Warner was suspended due to the ball-tampering scandal.
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Williamson scored 735 runs, winning the Orange Cap.
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SRH reached the final but lost to Chennai Super Kings despite a strong campaign.
2019
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David Warner returned and won the Orange Cap with 692 runs.
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SRH reached the playoffs but lost in the Eliminator to Delhi Capitals.
2020
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SRH reached Qualifier 2, defeating RCB in the Eliminator.
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They fell short against Delhi Capitals, ending another strong season.
This period established SRH as a team that regularly challenged for the title, known especially for their exceptional bowling line-up.
Recent Struggles (2021–2023)
While SRH were consistent until 2020, the seasons that followed saw a dip in form and off-field controversies.
IPL 2021
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David Warner was controversially removed from captaincy mid-season, replaced by Kane Williamson.
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SRH finished last, winning only 3 out of 14 matches.
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The season was marked by poor batting depth and instability.
IPL 2022
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Kane Williamson led again, but SRH finished eighth.
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Abhishek Sharma impressed with 426 runs, while Umran Malik emerged as India’s new pace sensation, bowling consistently at 150+ kmph.
IPL 2023
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Aiden Markram took over the captaincy.
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Despite having stars like Harry Brook, Heinrich Klaasen, and Rahul Tripathi, SRH finished last again, with just 4 wins in 14 games.
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Klaasen was the lone bright spot, scoring 448 runs at a strike rate of nearly 180.
These seasons highlighted SRH’s struggles with team balance, leadership, and batting consistency.
Squad and Team Composition
Batting Line-Up
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Abhishek Sharma – Explosive Indian opener with fearless strokeplay.
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Rahul Tripathi – Dynamic top-order batter.
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Aiden Markram (Captain) – South African batter known for composure.
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Heinrich Klaasen – SRH’s standout performer in 2023, a powerful middle-order hitter.
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Harry Brook – England’s rising star with big-hitting ability.
All-Round Options
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Washington Sundar – Off-spinner and handy lower-order batter.
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Marco Jansen – South African left-arm quick who can contribute with the bat.
Bowling Attack
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Veteran pacer with swing and control.
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Umran Malik – India’s pace sensation, consistently bowling at 150+ kmph.
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T. Natarajan – Left-arm death-over specialist.
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Adil Rashid – England’s experienced leg-spinner.
This blend of youth and experience offers potential, though consistency remains a challenge.
Coaching and Management
The SRH management has seen frequent changes in leadership and coaching.
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Head Coach (2023): Brian Lara, the legendary West Indian batsman, took charge.
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Bowling Coach: Dale Steyn, one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
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Mentor: Muttiah Muralitharan, the spin wizard.
Despite having cricketing legends in their setup, SRH’s recent results suggest the need for better execution and clearer strategies.
Home Ground: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
SRH’s home ground is the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
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Capacity: ~39,000 spectators.
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Known for: Electrifying atmosphere with fans in orange jerseys.
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Legacy: Witnessed SRH’s famous 2016 campaign and several thrilling victories.
The Hyderabad crowd is among the most passionate in the IPL, creating a fortress-like feel for the Orange Army.
Fan Base and Brand Identity
The Orange Army is one of the most vocal fanbases in the IPL.
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Fans have embraced the team’s identity, donning orange colors and creating a sea of support at home games.
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The team anthem, “Orange Army, Orange Army,” is chanted passionately in stadiums.
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SRH also engages fans through community initiatives and digital campaigns, maintaining strong connections.
The franchise may not have as many titles as others, but their loyal fanbase has stuck with them through highs and lows.
Strengths of SRH
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Bowling Legacy – Traditionally one of the best bowling units in IPL history.
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Emerging Talents – Discovery of stars like Rashid Khan (earlier), Umran Malik, and Abhishek Sharma.
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Explosive Middle Order – Klaasen and Brook bring match-winning potential.
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Strong Overseas Players – A mix of experienced internationals adds depth.
Weaknesses and Challenges
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Inconsistent Batting – Overreliance on individual brilliance.
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Captaincy Instability – Frequent leadership changes have hurt team morale.
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Death Bowling Concerns – Once their biggest strength, inconsistency in the death overs has been costly.
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Team Selection Issues – Poor balance in recent seasons, with unclear batting roles.
Legacy of Sunrisers Hyderabad
Even with ups and downs, SRH have left a lasting impact on IPL history.
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2016 Champions – Their biggest achievement under David Warner.
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2018 Finalists – Another strong run led by Kane Williamson.
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Individual Stars – Orange Caps (Warner in 2015, 2017, 2019; Williamson in 2018) and Purple Caps (Bhuvneshwar in 2016, 2017).
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Fan Loyalty – Despite recent struggles, the Orange Army remains fiercely supportive.
SRH are seen as a team that always fights hard, reflecting Hyderabad’s cricketing culture of resilience.
Road Ahead
For SRH to rise again as contenders:
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They need stability in leadership—trusting a captain long-term.
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Batting consistency must improve, with youngsters like Abhishek Sharma stepping up alongside Klaasen.
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Bowlers like Umran Malik must develop control to complement their pace.
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Management should focus on building a balanced, stable squad instead of frequent chopping and changing.
With a rich history and passionate fanbase, SRH are capable of staging a strong comeback.
Conclusion
The journey of Sunrisers Hyderabad is a story of resilience, passion, and fighting spirit. From their debut in 2013 to their championship win in 2016 and consistent playoff appearances, they have been among the most competitive franchises in IPL history.
Though recent seasons have tested them, SRH’s loyal fanbase, strong talent pool, and rich legacy ensure they remain a respected force. With the right strategy, they can once again rise to the top and add more silverware to their cabinet.
For the Orange Army, the belief remains unshaken: the sun will rise again, brighter and stronger.
