Packed stadiums roaring across continents. Instagram feeds exploding with follower counts in the millions. Endorsement deals crossing international borders. Cricket is no longer just a gentleman’s game or a colonial relic — it’s a global fever. And at the heart of this fever? One burning question ignites countless conversations on and off the field:
Who is the most popular cricketer in the world today?
This ranking isn’t just about centuries or wickets. It’s about cultural relevance, social media influence, fan base spread, captaincy charisma, and off-field marketability. It’s about those rare superstars who transcend boundaries — literal and figurative.
As someone who’s spent years navigating dressing rooms, press boxes, and data dashboards tracking cricket’s evolution from a regional obsession to a global digital juggernaut, I’ve curated this list with both nuance and factual backbone. This isn’t speculation — it’s a deep dive into cricket player popularity stats, endorsements, fan engagement, and raw influence.
Let’s walk through the 10 most popular cricketers in the world — legends of the current cricketing era who’ve become global cricket icons.
1. Virat Kohli — A Global Cricket Brand Beyond Numbers
If cricket ever had its Messi or Ronaldo in global appeal and relentless excellence, it’s Virat Kohli.
🧨 Why He’s the Most Popular Cricketer Alive:
- Instagram Followers: Over 250 million, the most followed cricketer on social media by a massive margin.
- Fan Base: Massive loyalty across India, Australia, England, UAE, South Africa, and USA.
- Endorsements: Portfolio includes Puma, MRF, Audi, and over 25 other international and domestic brands.
- Consistency: Over 70 international centuries, game-defining innings across all formats.
- Charisma: His confrontational yet charismatic leadership style defined a new Indian cricketing identity.
⚡ Real-World Insight:
I remember attending a Test match in Perth, where Australian fans — not the most generous with opposition praise — gave Kohli a standing ovation after a gritty century. That’s not just respect. That’s recognition of global superstardom.
🏆 Verdict: Virat isn’t just the most popular cricketer in the world — he may be the most marketable athlete from Asia.
2. MS Dhoni — The Captain Cool Who Became a Folk Hero
Retired but revered, MS Dhoni’s influence has grown well beyond the pitch.
🎯 Highlights of His Popularity Legacy:
- Social Media & Legacy: Despite not being active on Instagram for years, still commands over 40M+ followers due to sheer loyalty factor.
- Endorsements: Trusted by leading brands like Orient, Gulf Oil, GoDaddy, and SRMB Steel, even post-retirement.
- Cultural Impact: A semi-god status in rural and urban India. Biopic released on his life became a box-office smash.
- Captaincy Laurels: First captain to win the ICC T20, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy.
🧪 Insider Note:
During a World Cup warm-up match, I saw kids wearing Dhoni jerseys in a South African township — he wasn’t even playing. That level of adulation? You can’t manufacture that.
🏆 Verdict: The most loved cricketer of all time in India. A silent force. Still viral in retirement.
3. Babar Azam — Pakistan’s Elegant Answer to Kohli
Babar Azam isn’t just Pakistan’s modern batting kingpin — he’s their global cricket ambassador.
🌐 Why He’s a Fan Favorite Across Borders:
- Batting Style: Elegant, textbook-perfect — appeals to purists and new-age viewers alike.
- Leadership: Respected captain leadership in rebuilding the Pakistani white-ball juggernaut.
- Social Media: 8M+ Instagram followers — strongest Pakistani presence online.
- Tournaments: Strong performances in ICC events and overseas leagues like BBL and CPL.
🎙️ Field Whisper:
One Indian journalist told me during the Asia Cup that Babar was the “only Pakistani player who could walk into Bollywood and not feel out of place.” That says something about crossover appeal.
🏆 Verdict: The poster boy of Pakistan cricket, Babar is knocking at the mainstream door globally.
4. Sachin Tendulkar — Eternal Reverence Beyond Retirements
Time can’t wear down Sachin Tendulkar’s fame. The man isn’t active in international cricket, but the devotion remains untouched.
🕉️ Why His Popularity Is Still Relevant:
- Legacy: Most international runs (over 34,000), 100 international centuries.
- Social Media: 40M+ followers combined — actively engages fans with cricket insights.
- Brand Presence: Still involved in UNICEF, health campaigns, and media deals.
- Culture: Streets named after him, temples built in his honor.
💬 Behind the Statistic:
Cameramen know this — pan to Sachin during an India match, and the TRP spikes. It’s instinctual fan coding.
🏆 Verdict: The most famous cricketer of all time. Reverence, not just relevance.
5. Rohit Sharma — The Hitman of Modern Era Popularity
Few cricketers have transformed public perception like Rohit Sharma — calm executioner with a cult fan base.
🎯 Key Drivers of Rohit’s Popularity:
- Achievements: Multiple double centuries in ODIs. Captaining India across formats.
- Social Media: Over 34M Instagram followers. Engaging, witty, and mature.
- Brand Portfolio: Adidas, CEAT, Oakley — positioning as a family-oriented athlete.
- Viewership Magnet: His form defines IPL ratings — especially when captaining Mumbai.
✍️ Expert Impression:
Rohit’s interviews drip calm intelligence. That’s what makes him so relatable — superstar talent in a middle-class mold.
🏆 Verdict: The everyman’s legend. Understated but hugely popular.
6. AB de Villiers — Mr. 360 With Global Respect
Despite no longer playing international cricket, AB de Villiers remains immensely influential — and loved.
🌍 International Popularity Matrix:
- Nicknames: Mr. 360 globally, “ABD” in India — a sign of brand intimacy.
- IPL Magnetism: Made RCB a second team for many Indian fans.
- Style Factor: Unique shot selection, sportsmanship, and humility.
- Cross-Culture Appeal: Loved in Australia, India, UK, and even by rival players.
🎤 Firsthand Account:
Indian fans often chant his name more passionately than some Indian players during IPL. That’s not fandom — that’s a movement.
🏆 Verdict: Still the world’s most respected foreign cricketer in India.
7. Chris Gayle — Universe Boss of Viral Cricket
No one blends cricket and pop culture like Chris Gayle. He’s a walking, laughing meme — in the best way.
🎉 Gayle’s Fame Equation:
- Social Media: Hilarious reels, flashy lifestyle, unmatched engagement.
- Cricketing Brilliance: Fastest century in T20, top six-hitter across T20 leagues.
- Off-the-field: Music videos, party appearances, and cross-brand endorsements.
- Cult Status: Revered from Kingston to Kolkata.
🎯 Real Impact Story:
At a Caribbean Premier League afterparty, Gayle was mobbed by fans, journalists, and rival players alike. He stopped for every selfie.
🏆 Verdict: Most popular entertainer in cricket — and still a force digitally.
8. Ben Stokes — England’s Modern Warrior
Ben Stokes’ popularity exploded after his 135* at Headingley. A true modern-day warrior cricketer.
💪 Why Fans Connect With Him:
- Grit: Combines aggression with vulnerability — remembers defeats as deeply as victories.
- Match-Winners: 2019 World Cup heroics, Ashes performances, IPL cameos.
- Fan Base: England’s favorite cricketer, but well-loved in India and the Caribbean too.
- Media Presence: Open about mental health; respected for honesty and courage.
🏆 Verdict: England’s biggest cricket brand internationally.
9. Hardik Pandya — Gen Z’s Cricket Rockstar
Hardik Pandya represents the new wave — unique, flashy, unapologetic.
🔥 Rising Pillar of Popularity:
- Instagram Presence: Posts often go viral — high relatability among millennials.
- Style Quotient: Watches, tattoos, outfits — Hardik blends sport and fashion.
- IPL Leadership: Took Gujarat Titans to a title in their first season.
- Youth Magnetism: Often featured on influencer content and short-form video.
📊 FMJ Reporter Anecdote:
‘Hardik isn’t just a cricketer,’ an IPL marketing executive once told me, ‘He’s a youth icon — they listen to his Spotify playlist.’
🏆 Verdict: Poster child of cricket and pop-culture fusion.
10. Kane Williamson — Respected Across Borders
Williamson’s appeal isn’t loud. It’s profound. Polite steel wrapped in velvet.
📘 Why the Gentleman Is on the List:
- Sportsmanship: Universally respected — even opposing fans rise for him.
- Leadership: Took New Zealand to back-to-back ICC finals.
- Embodied Humility: Uncommon in modern sports, and disarmingly sincere.
- Fan Base Growth: Rising Instagram reach due to quiet consistency.
🏆 Verdict: Not viral, but universally valued.
📊 Comparison Table — Instagram Followers (Approximation Snapshot)
| Cricketer | Instagram Followers | Endorsement Deals | Global Fan Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 250M+ | 25+ | 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍 |
| MS Dhoni | 40M+ | 15+ | 🌍🌍🌍🌍 |
| Babar Azam | 8M+ | 5+ | 🌍🌍🌍 |
| Rohit Sharma | 34M+ | 12+ | 🌍🌍🌍🌍 |
| AB de Villiers | 20M+ | 5+ | 🌍🌍🌍🌍 |
| Chris Gayle | 13M+ | 10+ | 🌍🌍🌍 |
| Ben Stokes | 4M+ | 5+ | 🌍🌍 |
| Hardik Pandya | 27M+ | 10+ | 🌍🌍🌍 |
| Kane Williamson | 3M+ | 3+ | 🌍🌍 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 40M+ | 15+ | 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍 |
🤔 FAQs — Cricket Fame Rankings Demystified
Who is the No. 1 cricketer in the world right now?
Virat Kohli leads in popularity, performance longevity, and fan engagement metrics.
Which cricketer has the most fans globally?
With over 250 million social media followers and unmatched global engagement, Virat Kohli tops the chart.
Who is the most popular cricketer on Instagram?
Once again, it’s Virat Kohli, with three times more followers than the next cricketer on the list.
Why is Virat Kohli so popular?
He’s the perfect storm of results, fitness, aggression, relatability, and modern-day brand awareness.
🎯 Final Thoughts: Fame in Cricket Isn’t Just About Runs
Popularity in cricket is evolving. No longer tethered to Test averages alone, it now dances with influence, relatability, digital reach, and global presence.
From Virat Kohli’s billion-dollar brand power to Dhoni’s unshakeable fan base, and from Babar’s elegance to Gayle’s virality, the world’s most popular cricketer isn’t just one player — it’s a cultural movement.
As cricket continues to globalize — across the US, Middle East, and emerging European markets — expect these names to remain immortal in the hearts of fans, and perhaps, in the hashtags of history.
📝 By a seasoned cricket journalist with over 15 years in the field, firsthand experiences in major ICC tournaments, and exclusive interviews with the athletes shaping the sport.
⚡ “Cricket may be a game of numbers, but popularity? That’s a measure of the heart.”
Zahir, the prolific author behind the cricket match predictions blog on our article site, is a seasoned cricket enthusiast and a seasoned sports analyst with an unwavering passion for the game. With a deep understanding of cricketing statistics, player dynamics, and match strategies, Zahir has honed his expertise over years of following the sport closely.
His insightful articles are not only a testament to his knowledge but also a valuable resource for cricket fans and bettors seeking informed predictions and analysis. Zahir’s commitment to delivering accurate forecasts and engaging content makes him an indispensable contributor to our platform, keeping readers well informed and entertained throughout the cricketing season.
