Find out most followed cricketers on social media. Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma are among the top five.
Virat Kohli, known as the king of cricket and named Men’s Cricketer of the Decade, has more fans than any other cricketer in the world. In India, cricket’s popularity goes beyond the field, with fans equally interested in a player’s personal life and brand endorsements. Kohli is the only Indian athlete on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid athletes in the world, alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
It’s no wonder that Virat Kohli has an impressive 265 million followers on Instagram, making him the most-followed Asian on the platform.
In the past, a cricketer’s fame was measured mainly through media mentions. However, social media has changed that, making it easier for sports stars to connect with fans. A large fanbase now brings many endorsement opportunities that weren’t as common before.
Top 5 Most Followed Cricketers
| Rank | Player | Instagram Followers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 265 million |
| 2 | Mahendra Singh Dhoni | 46.6 million |
| 3 | Sachin Tendulkar | 45.6 million |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | 33.9 million |
| 5 | Hardik Pandya | 28.8 million |
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli, the best batsman of the last decade, is the most famous cricketer in India. He has a fanbase that is unmatched by any other athlete, celebrity, or politician in Asia. Kohli was the top run-scorer in the recent 2023 World Cup and has been adored since India’s 2011 World Cup victory.
His aggressive playing style has inspired many young cricketers. Kohli’s marriage to film star Anushka Sharma further increased his popularity. He owns brands like Wrogn and one8, and is an angel investor in various companies. Besides his 265 million Instagram followers, he has 59.6 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) and 51 million on Facebook.
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2. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, the only Indian captain to win all ICC titles, was a superstar before Kohli. As a remarkable wicketkeeper and explosive batsman, he made the finisher’s role popular in cricket. Even four years after retiring, Dhoni remains a favorite among fans. He has 46.6 million followers on Instagram, and his appearances with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) keep his popularity high.
A five-time IPL champion, Dhoni has garnered millions of devoted fans. He owns a hotel in Ranchi, a gym chain in over 200 cities, a sports apparel company, and a global school.
3. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, the original cricketing superstar of India and the world, has the third-highest number of fans among cricketers, even a decade after his retirement. Known by many titles, including “Little Master” and “God of Cricket,” Tendulkar has 33.9 million followers on Instagram.
This is a remarkable feat, considering the others on this list are still actively playing. Apart from his business ventures, Tendulkar invests in various companies and leagues, including the International Tennis Premier League and the Indian Super League.
4. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, is known for his entertaining batting style and has a large following in world cricket. Although he has not won any major ICC titles as a captain, he has won the IPL six times with two different teams. His remarkable achievement of scoring double centuries in ODIs also sets him apart as a unique record holder.
Popularly called the “Hitman,” Rohit holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, making him a favorite globally. He is a brand ambassador for Adidas and has invested in companies like Rapidobotics and Veiroots Wellness Solutions.
5. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is one of the fastest-rising stars in cricket. He emerged as a breath of fresh air for Indian cricket, especially when the team was looking for a seam-bowling all-rounder. He gained popularity with the Mumbai Indians through his explosive batting and became a household name in India.
Pandya has won four IPL titles with MI and led the Gujarat Titans to their first IPL trophy in their debut season, making him a strong candidate for captaincy. His entertaining play and a controversial talk show episode have intrigued the public about his personal life. He ranks fifth on the list with 28.8 million Instagram followers. Pandya co-owns an event management company called EventViva and invests in companies like Aretto, LenDenClub, and Yu Foodlabs.
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