3 Most followed cricketers on Instagram

Cricket is the most popular sport in India, and accordingly, the players enjoy a massive fan following in the nation. Every move a cricketer makes is closely watched by millions of fans as they attract large crowds, wherever they go. Fans often look for ways to stay connected to their favourite stars, and social media has played a huge role in bridging the gap between the players and their fans.

Players use social media to connect with their fans by sharing moments from their personal lives and also to make announcements. Many cricketers have a large fanbase on their Instagram handles, who keep tracking their daily updates. As the world of social media continues to popularise players, here are the top three most followed cricketers on Instagram.

3. MS Dhoni (50.4 million)

The former India skipper is counted among the most popular players in the world, despite his retirement from international cricket in 2020. MS Dhoni attracted a large fanbase from early days in his career, through his hairstyle and flamboyant shots. 

He quickly rose through the ranks to become the most successful limited-overs captain for India, winning ICC trophies in all formats. Even after his retirement, fans continue to queue up in large numbers to watch Dhoni play during the Indian Premier League (IPL) as his single shot garners millions of views on social media.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (51.5 million)

Sachin Tendulkar is synonymous to cricket in India as the legendary batter used to keep the entire nation glued to their television sets every time he batted. Tendulkar made his debut at the age of 16 in 1989 and the prodigy left everyone stunned with his remarkable run-scoring ability against the best international bowlers at such a tender age.

Throughout the course of his career, Tendulkar broke several records, most of which remain untouched to date. The legendary batter earned his large fanbase through his remarkable consistency in a 24-year-long career and continues to swoon his fans with just a wave of hand in every public appearance.

1. Virat Kohli (273 million)

Virat Kohli rose to overnight stardom after guiding India to a historic under-19 World Cup triumph in 2008. He subsequently made his debut in the senior team and became a style icon for the youth with his funky hairstyles and eye-catching tattoos. Over the years, he became a proper match-winner for the team in all three formats, setting the highest standards of performance and fitness. 

Kohli’s unmatched hunger for excellence earned him a wide fanbase not just in India but across the world, as he’s the most followed cricketer on Instagram. He’s also the third most followed sports personality in the world after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.