3 iconic cricketers who have raised the fan base of their IPL teams

IPL has become one of the most outstanding leagues in the world. Every year, top players from around the world come to India to showcase their ability at this platform and some become overnight sensations.

We have seen many teams over the eleven seasons that a team from a specific region get support from another side of India because of some of the well-known players at their disposal. For example, there are huge fans for Chennai Super Kings in the northern areas of India due to cricketers like Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni.

These players establish a close bond with the team and become the cynosure of their fans' views. This relation is significant as it links the player and the fans' sentiments. Let us take a look at three players who have helped their respective IPL teams increase the fan base.

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#3 Sachin Tendulkar

The guide of Mumbai Indians, Sachin Tendulkar has millions of fans all around the world. He is a tremendous brand than any other player in India. He had been the most followed cricketer on prominent social media site Twitter before Virat Kohli went past him.

Tendulkar was the iconic cricketer of Mumbai Indians till the 2013 edition of the IPL after which he chose to bid adieu to the tournament. Since then, he has played the role of an adviser to the franchise. Owing to his experience and performance in the game, the stalwart continues to be an extreme source of motivation to the young cricketers in peculiar.

It is due to the Tendulkar factor that the Mumbai Indians are one of the most popular sporting teams in the world.

#2 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers is an extraordinarily talented cricketer. He can do anything on the cricket ground. The Superhuman batsman is among the most loved players of the world and has fans all across India. He is an essential part of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are full of star cricketers like de Villiers and Virat Kohli. The South African legend not only plays all the shots in the coaching manual but has also created some of his own.

AB's fan base skyrocketed when he hit the fastest ODI century in a match against the West Indies. He is one of the most beloved cricketers in the world and there is no confusion that Royal Challengers has captured more fans than other franchises due to him as well as Kohli.

#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the costliest player bought at the first IPL auction in 2008 for $1.5 million. He was immediately named the captain of Chennai Super Kings. From then on, Dhoni has been the adopted son of Chennai. The growth of Dhoni and CSK has always been an inseperable story.

Astute captaincy, hard-hitting batting and sharp wicket-keeping are some of the reasons which define why MS Dhoni has developed into a legendary player. With each passing year, his number of followers is expanding tremendously.

Dhoni has won every major tournament formulated by the ICC. He is one of the main reasons why Super Kings are the most successful franchise of the IPL. He has also been the most successful skipper for India. The significance of any sport lies in the emotions which ignite in the hearts of sports fans.