The Indian cricket team, known for being the 2024 T20 World Cup champions, is one of the most famous sports teams globally. With a massive fan base, the “Most Famous Indian Cricketers” are celebrated wherever they play, whether in SENA countries, Asia, or beyond. This strong fan support often pushes the team to deliver top performances.
Much of the team’s popularity comes from the legendary players who have represented India over the years. While every player has their own fans, some have become especially famous. Here, we highlight five of India’s most popular cricketers.
List of Most Famous Indian Cricketers
Player
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest Score
Average
Strike Rate
100s
50s
Ducks
4s
6s
Virat Kohli
533
591
26,942
254*
53.35
79.60
80
140
37
2,662
301
Rohit Sharma
483
509
19,234
264
43.31
87.39
48
106
33
1,847
620
MS Dhoni
535
523
17,092
224
44.74
78.78
15
108
21
1,469
352
Sachin Tendulkar
664
782
34,357
248*
48.52
67.58
100
164
34
4,076
264
Rahul Dravid
504
599
24,064
270
45.57
51.93
48
145
20
2,593
66
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is arguably India’s most famous cricketer. He is one of the world’s top athletes, alongside names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and LeBron James. His huge global fan base is due to his remarkable achievements for Indian cricket. He is considered one of the greatest batters of all time, currently the second-highest run scorer for India with nearly 27,000 runs. With 80 centuries and 140 half-centuries to his name, he continues to break records and could achieve even more before retiring.
2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, India’s current captain, is another widely popular cricketer. His fame skyrocketed when he took over as team leader, and he has been a key player for India over the past decade. Considered one of the best opening batters in cricket history, Rohit has accumulated 19,234 runs in 483 matches, including 48 centuries and 106 half-centuries. Under his leadership, India won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, further boosting his reputation.
3. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni holds a special place in the hearts of Indian cricket fans. As a former captain, he led India to victory in every ICC white-ball tournament, making him the only captain in history to achieve this feat. His leadership made India a dominant force across all formats. Even in his 40s, Dhoni continues to enjoy massive support, with chants of “Dhoni, Dhoni” ringing through stadiums whenever he plays in the IPL. Known as one of the best finishers in cricket, Dhoni scored 17,092 runs for India, with 15 centuries and 108 half-centuries.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is known worldwide as the “God of Cricket” and is considered the best batter in the history of the sport. His popularity extends beyond India, and despite retiring a decade ago, he remains the highest run scorer in cricket history with 34,357 runs. Sachin’s 100 international centuries are a record that still stands, and his contributions to the game have made him a global icon.
5. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, also known as “The Wall,” was one of India’s most dependable players. As a former captain, he was crucial in helping India win several significant matches, especially in Tests and ODIs. His solid technique made him a reliable player, and he often rescued the team from tough situations. Dravid scored 24,064 runs across all formats, with 48 centuries and 145 half-centuries. He later became the coach of the Indian team, guiding them to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.