Cricket
5 Famous Cricketers of India: Legends of the Game
In the world of global sports, few stars shine as brightly as India's cricket legends. Join us as we explore fame in the digital age, focusing on icons like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Celebrating//Getty Images
Their remarkable achievements and charm keep fans hooked, moving beyond the Cricket field into the digital world. There's also a big debate on who is the most popular among these Indian cricket giants.
Come along with us to see how these cricket stars stay legendary in today's digital world!
To quantify their global appeal, we introduced the SportsBoom MetaScale, a methodology that integrates online and social media influence, revealing how these famous cricketers’ influence extends far beyond the pitch into fans' hearts worldwide.
METHODOLOGY
The rankings are determined based on the following criteria:
Global Search Volume
70% of the criteria is made up of the interest in a player’s name and career, measured by the volume of worldwide searches, and reflects their global popularity and fan engagement.
Instagram Followers
The other 30% is made up from a player’s reach and influence on Instagram and it captures their social media presence and ability to connect with fans worldwide.
This cutting-edge metric provides a clear picture of the worldwide fame of India’s most iconic cricketers, extending their influence far beyond the pitch.
SportsBoom MetaScale Table
| Player | Global Volume(Millions) | Followers(Millions) | Score |
| Virat Kohli | 4.0 | 270.0 | 83.80 |
| MS Dhoni | 1.1 | 49.4 | 15.59 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 0.515 | 49.7 | 15.27 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2.6 | 42.1 | 14.45 |
| Rahul Dravid | 0.253 | 0.0966 | 0.206 |
From the stats above , we can deduce the following per player:
1. Virat Kohli : 270 million Instagram followers | global search volume of 4 million
It is no surprise that Virat Kohli leads the way by some distance. With a staggering score of 83.80, Kohli trumps his peers by a significant margin. His global search volume of 4 million and a record-breaking 270 million Instagram followers demonstrates his indomitable popularity.
The nickname "King Kohli" certainly is apt. The 36-year-old’s aggressive batting style, fitness-focused lifestyle, and engaging presence on social media make him a modern-day icon of the sport and even rivals other superstars from other sports.
Kohli is arguably the most famous cricketer that India has produced, standing on the same global stage as athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and LeBron James. His fame contributes to the Indian team's enormous fanbase, which motivates them to deliver dominating performances worldwide. Kohli, with around 27000 runs, 80 centuries, and 140 half-centuries, is the all-time second-leading run-maker for India and is poised to shatter more records.
2. MS Dhoni : 49.4 million Instagram Followers | Global Search Volume 1.1 million
Captain Cool may have retired, but his influence on the game and his global fanbase remains intact. Coming in second in our rankings with a score of 15.59, Dhoni’s global search volume (1.1 million) and Instagram followers (49.4 million) reflect his lasting impact on cricket.
Known for his calmness on the pitch in high-pressure situations, MSD’s achievements with the Indian National team, including multiple ICC titles, have cemented him as one of the most respected cricketers in the world.
It is no surprise his loyal fans still marvel at his greatness. Dhoni’s immense contribution has earned him a huge respect among fans, with his fanbase evident during IPL games where "Dhoni Dhoni" chants are omnipresent. As a keeper-batter, he has mustered 17092 runs for India across formats, with 15 tons and 108 fifties, making him not only a terrific skipper but also one of the best finishers in cricket history .
3. Sachin Tendulkar: 49.7 Instagram Followers | Global Search Volume 0.515 million
The God of Cricket is third on our list with a score of 15.27. Despite retiring from international cricket over a decade ago, his impact on the sport still resonates to this day.
A global search volume of 0.515 million and Instagram followers nearing 50 million highlight his cross-generational appeal. Couple Tendulkar’s glittering career, in which he made a staggering 100 international centuries, with his ability to inspire millions of cricketing fans in India and beyond, and you get a timeless symbol of cricketing greatness.
His legacy as one of the reasons cricket enjoys such popularity worldwide is profound. Tendulkar ended his career with 34 357 runs in 664 games, alongside 100 centuries, the highest by any batter in cricket history, and 154 half-centuries.
4. Rohit Sharma: 42.1 million Instagram Followers | Global Search Volume of 2.6 million
Rohit Sharma has steadily carved a place among the cricketing heavyweights and comes in at number four on our list. With a score of 14.45, driven by a search volume of 2.6 million and 42.1 million Instagram followers, the Hitman’s rise is a testament to his consistency and leadership.
Sharma’s versatility has also played a part in his meteoric rise, known for being one of the most destructive opening batsmen in the sport to leading India in white-ball cricket. His growing influence both on and off the cricket pitch continues to attract a dedicated fanbase. As the current team India skipper, his popularity soared when he was appointed captain.
Sharma's records speak for themselves. He has amassed 19234 runs in 483 games, with 48 centuries and 106 half-centuries, proving his pivotal role in the team for the last decade. He recently guided India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, further enhancing his global stature.
5. Rahul Dravid: 96,600 Instagram Followers | Global Search Volume of 0.253 million
Fifth on our list is Rahul Dravid with a relatively low score of just 0.206 in the SportsBoom MetaScale, yet his legacy as one of cricket’s finest technicians lives on. With a search volume of 0.253 million and 96,600 Instagram followers, Dravid’s fame is smaller but no less significant. His contributions in an Indian shirt as a player and as a former head coach exemplify humility and excellence.
Known as The Wall, Dravid was rock solid at the crease, helping the team win some famous games. His tenure as coach saw India win the T20 World Cup 2024. As a player, he scored 24064 runs across the three formats, with 48 tons and 145 fifties, earning deep respect among cricket enthusiasts and the cricketing fraternity.
Broader implications of the SportsBoom MetaScale rankings
These metrics go beyond numbers to tell us a story of how cricket’s biggest names resonate with fans in the digital age.
The high scores of active players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma emphasize the role of social media in shaping modern sports stardom, where engagement and connectivity play vital roles.
At the same time, the presence of retired greats like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar shows that true greatness leaves a legacy that transcends time.
The Indian Cricket Team , one of the most popular sporting teams globally, benefits immensely from this fan support. The 2024 T20 World Cup Champions' large fan base, visible when they travel worldwide, has been a significant motivator for their dominating performances.
The fan following is not just about the current superstars but also about the legacy of players who have represented India over the years. Each player mentioned has contributed uniquely to Indian cricket.
While every Indian cricketer has a fan base, these five have transcended to become icons not just in India but globally, with their influence quantified by the SportsBoom MetaScale.
With a decade of sports writing expertise, Nigel Naicker has crafted compelling content across football leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as cricket and UFC. A passionate storyteller since 2014, Nigel joins the SportsBoom team, ready to deliver insightful narratives across various sports disciplines.