1xBet research: which team will Indian cricket fans support in IPL 2025?
Ahead of the new IPL 2025 season, international brand 1xBet has conducted a large study on the preferences of Indian cricket fans.
More than 3,500 users of the 1xBet platform and followers of the brand’s Instagram page took part in the survey. Respondents shared in detail which players and teams they will support in IPL 2025. The study identified key factors for support, as well as the geographical and age preferences of fans for specific players and teams.
Top players of IPL 2025 with the most fan support
According to the survey of Indian cricket fans, 13 players of IPL 2025 were identified as those who can expect the most fan support:
- Virat Kohli (27.4 per cent).
- Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni (12.4 per cent).
- Abhishek Sharma (11.1 per cent).
- Jasprit Bumrah (4.3 per cent).
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (4.2 per cent).
- Hardik Pandya (four per cent).
- Rishabh Pant (2.9 per cent).
- KL Rahul (2.5 per cent).
- Heinrich Klaasen and Suryakumar Yadav (2.4 per cent).
- Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill (2.3 per cent).
The top spot in the ranking, with a huge lead over the nearest competitor, went to the GOAT of Indian cricket, Virat “The Legend” Kohli, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. More than a quarter of respondents – 27.4 per cent – voted for the former national team’s captain, who became the top scorer of IPL 2024. Fans highlight his perfect technique, aggressive playing style, as well as his charisma and champion mentality.
Most votes for Virat Kohli came from respondents aged 25-34 (46.8 per cent), followed by fans aged 20-24 (33.1 per cent). He was also the only player to receive recognition from the oldest age group, 60+ (0.6 per cent). Virat Kohli is popular across India, but he received the most votes in Karnataka (12 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (11.3 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (11 per cent), Telangana (9.7 per cent), and Maharashtra (7.2 per cent).
Positioned second place in the ranking, Rohit Sharma from Mumbai Indians held the position until the very end of the survey, but at the finish, he was caught by the legendary MS Dhoni from Chennai Super Kings. In the end, the two shared 2nd place with an identical support result of 12.4 per cent.
Rohit “Hitman” Sharma is the embodiment of strength and leadership, as well as a symbol of the champion mindset and India’s international success. He is rightfully considered one of the world’s best opening batsmen, capable of playing effectively against any kind of delivery. Under his captaincy, Mumbai Indians won five IPL trophies, and the national team won the T20 World Cup.
During the survey, the majority of votes for the player came from the core audience aged 25-34 (48.9 per cent), while the younger audience of 20-24 voted noticeably less (29.4 per cent). Rohit Sharma has the most fans in Maharashtra (12.9 per cent). He is also supported in Karnataka (nine per cent), Uttar Pradesh (nine per cent), Andhra Pradesh (8.6 per cent), Bihar (8.2 per cent), and Telangana (7.3 per cent).
Mahendra “Thala” Singh Dhoni is a bright representation of an entire generation of cricket. The player is associated with calmness, guidance, and game intelligence. MS Dhoni is considered the best captain in cricket history, as it was under his leadership that the Indian team and Chennai Super Kings won many trophies.
According to some reports, the player is having his final season in the IPL, so fans will watch his game with special attention. In the survey, “Thala” received votes from the two most active audience groups: 25-34 years (45.3 per cent) and 20-24 years (35.75 per cent). MS Dhoni has the most fans in Andhra Pradesh (16 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (11.8 per cent), and Telangana (10.9 per cent).
Ranked third is the new star of aggressive cricket, Abhishek Sharma from Sunrisers Hyderabad. Over 10 per cent of respondents believe he is the future of Indian cricket. He is chosen for his relentless aggression in attack, technical skill, and impressive physical condition. Abhishek Sharma is one of the most dangerous opening batsmen, putting pressure on the opponent from the very first delivery. He is young, bold, and already playing at the level of the best, so IPL 2025 could be a breakthrough season for him.
Next in the ranking is a close group of three players, each with around 4% – the living legend Jasprit Bumrah, versatile all-rounder Hardik Pandya (both from Mumbai Indians), and top player of the new generation Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals).
The recent move from Delhi Capitals to Lucknow Super Giants didn’t stop Rishabh Pant from taking eighth place in the ranking with nearly three per cent support. Heading in the opposite direction is KL Rahul, ranked seventh (2.5 per cent), who was the captain of Lucknow Super Giants for two years and will now wear the Delhi Capitals jersey in the new season.
Tied for ninth place in the ranking are 1xBet brand ambassador Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians), both with 2.4 per cent support. In tenth place are Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals) and Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans), with a similar support of 2.3 per cent.
Among this group, it’s worth highlighting the bright international cricket star, South African Heinrich Klaasen. He is rightfully considered one of the most dangerous hitters in modern cricket – his powerful shots can change the course of a match in just a few minutes. Additionally, Klaasen is not afraid of responsibility and often pulls his team out of difficult situations, demonstrating leadership and calmness. These qualities are appreciated by both fans and the international brand 1xBet, which made him its ambassador.
The IPL 2025 teams with the most fan support
Participants in the 1xBet survey were also asked to name the teams they would support in the IPL 2025 season. As a result, the following top five winners were determined:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (28.5 per cent).
- Mumbai Indians (21.6 per cent).
- Chennai Super Kings (20.4 per cent).
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (10.3 per cent).
- Kolkata Knight Riders (6.4 per cent).
In first place in the ranking, with 28.5 per cent support, are Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by the star of modern cricket, Virat Kohli. In the last five IPL seasons, the team has reached the playoffs four times, and its fans believe that in the upcoming season, the team will finally be able to win its 1st title.
In second place with 21.6 per cent support are the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians. This result is quite expected, as four players from this team feature in our ranking of the most popular cricketers: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav. Cricket fans primarily highlight the team’s history, having featured many legendary players, as well as the strong current lineup, which is capable of winning for the sixth time.
Rounding out the top three most popular teams are Chennai Super Kings (20.4 per cent), featuring another living cricket legend, MS “Thala” Dhoni. In the last four IPL seasons, the team became champion in 2021 and 2023, and fans are hopeful that 2025 will also be a successful year for the Kings.
In fourth place, with 10.3 per cent support from respondents, are Sunrisers Hyderabad. Last year, the team fell just one step short of their third title. Fans are hopeful that the thoughtful strategy of captain Pat Cummins, as well as the balance of youth and experience in the squad, will help improve on last year’s result.
Rounding out the top five are the current champions, Kolkata Knight Riders. The team is owned by the “King of Bollywood” Shah Rukh Khan, who has managed to attract a massive army of loyal fans to KKR’s matches.
The most anticipated IPL 2025 matches
The most awaited game of the IPL 2025 season is between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, with 27.5 per cent of respondents eager to see these two teams face off, especially if it’s in the final. Close behind are the cricket fans from Mumbai, with the second most anticipated match being Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at 20 per cent, and third is Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru with 6.9 per cent.
The study results show that the most support from fans goes to charismatic players with a bright playing style, as well as successful clubs with large fan bases. In India, support for home teams is traditionally strong, so local clubs tend to receive more votes in their respective regions.
The same trend is observed concerning fan age – young audiences are more likely to support young players, while older fans cheer for experienced athletes. Exceptions to this rule are legendary players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni, who are equally supported by fans of all ages and from all regions of India.
About 1xBet
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