The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most celebrated and widely followed cricket league globally, captivating the hearts of millions of fans. The franchises, with their star-studded line-ups and high-voltage matches, have not only dominated the cricketing world but also created their massive fan base on social media platforms.
The Lucknow Super Giants have the lowest number of followers among all IPL franchises. 1.8 million fans follow them on Instagram. The team made its debut last year and finished in the top 4.
Big names like KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis, Amit Mishra and Nicholas Pooran are associated with this team. Their fanbase should grow quickly in the coming years.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) made their IPL debut in 2008 and have been a part of the league in every season played so far. Yet, they have less than 3 million followers on Instagram.
Perhaps the failure to win an IPL trophy and the constant chopping and changing in the squad has impacted their fanbase. PBKS have 2.8 million followers right now.
Gujarat Titans (GT) have gained more Instagram followers than the Lucknow Super Giants although both teams joined the IPL in the same year. One of the main reasons behind it is that GT won the 2022 edition of the league.
Besides, GT are home to three of the most popular cricketers on social media - Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill. Hence, they crossed the 2 million followers mark quickly.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the inaugural season of the IPL. They were suspended from the league in 2015 and returned in 2018 with a new group of owners. RR have worked hard to build a fanbase after their return.
They have 2.9 million followers on Instagram. The Royals should cross the 3 million mark by the end of IPL 2023.
Despite joining the IPL in 2013, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have managed to gain more followers than some of the original teams. SRH recently completed 3 million followers on Instagram.
The Hyderabad-based franchise have a loyal fanbase. Although the team has not performed well in recent seasons, the fans have always backed SRH.
Delhi Capitals have not won the IPL trophy, but they have been performing consistently ever since the team underwent an ownership change. Earlier, the team was known as Delhi Daredevils, but in 2019, they changed it to Delhi Capitals.
The fan following of Delhi has increased after the change in ownership. They currently have 3.5 million followers on Instagram.
Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are among the top 4 most-followed teams on Instagram. KKR have almost 4 million plus followers on the social media platform.
While the Knight Riders team has performed well on the field, a considerable number of fans also support the team because of their owner Shah Rukh Khan.
Only three IPL teams have more than 10 million followers on Instagram. One of them is the team from Bangalore - Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). RCB are yet to win an IPL championship, but they have managed to build a huge fanbase.
The likes of Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers entertained the fans a lot while playing for the franchise. Also, the fact that the most-followed Asian on Instagram, Virat Kohli, plays for RCB is a big reason for the popularity of the team.
MI have won the highest number of IPL trophies. They are home to big names like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.
Over the years, Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ricky Ponting, Harbhajan Singh, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Pollock, Kieron Pollard, and Lasith Malinga have also represented this franchise. MI's brand-building is unmatched among IPL teams, and the same reflects in their Instagram follower count.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) narrowly missed out on the first place in this list. The four-time champions have 11.4 million followers on Instagram. They made their debut in 2008 and have qualified for the playoffs in almost every season they have played.
MS Dhoni is one of the main reasons behind CSK's success on the field and on social media as well. A lot of fans support Chennai because of Dhoni.
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