IPL 2018: Top 5 most followed teams on Facebook

Cricket, though played only in a very few countries in the world, is still one of the most followed sports on social media. India, as the second most populous country in the world, has the largest fan base of cricket anywhere in the world.

The Indian Premier League is a Twenty20 cricket league in India held every year during the months of April and May. Ever since its founding by the BCCI in 2008, it has become increasingly popular, turning even non-cricket fans to the sport.

IPL is the most watched cricket league in the world and with its recent TV broadcasting deal worth $2.5 Billion with Star India, these stats are bound to grow.

During the years, Facebook has become an important platform for fans and teams to engage and interact with each other. Here, we take a look at the IPL teams with the biggest fan followings on social media.

5. Kings XI Punjab - 8.3 Million

Kings 11 Punjab is Yet to win the IPL.

Kings 11 Punjab is yet to win the IPL, but the presence of Bollywood star Priety Zinta has ensured that they will remain as one of the most popular sides on Facebook.

With only Axar Patel retained in the team, the upcoming IPL Auctions will be very crucial for them, as they will try to push for the trophy with a completely different squad.

Kings 11 Punjab's fan following mostly comes from Punjab and the other northern states.

Players Retained- Axar Patel

4. Royal Challengers Bangalore - 9.2 Million

RCB is currently captained by Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

With Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers among their ranks, no one can question the team's huge fan base.

Despite being the most star-studded team in the league, the team is yet to win the IPL trophy. The finals of 2009, 2011 and 2016 are the closest it has come so far to the silverware.

But with the IPL auctions lurking, RCB is ready again with its chequebooks to find its perfect team combination in the hope of lifting its first IPL trophy.

Known as the Bold Army, their fans are popular for R-C-B, R-C-B chants and their co-ordinated Mexican wave.

Players Retained- Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan and AB de Villiers

3. Chennai Super Kings- 11.7 Million

Chennai Super Kings is set to return to IPL after two years of suspension.

Chennai Super Kings is all set to return to the field this year after serving two years of suspension for its involvement in spot-fixing and betting case.

CSK has retained MS Dhoni to lead the side. Alongside him, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, who had been their top performers prior to the suspension, have also been retained.

Two-time champions of both the Indian Premier League and the Champions League T20, CSK will try to take full advantage of the 2018 auction to win its first IPL trophy since 2011.

Players Retained- MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja

2. Mumbai Indians - 12.5 Million.

Mumbai Indians is the most successful IPL team with 3 titles.

Belonging to the most populous city of India, Mumbai, MI is the most successful team in the history of IPL, along with being the 2nd most followed team on Facebook with 12.5 million likes.

Its huge popularity is no surprise as the God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar used to play for them until 2013, and now contributes as a mentor.

Mumbai Indians has also won the CLT20 twice, which has led its global reach.

Retained- Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.

1. Kolkata Knight Riders- 15.7 Million.

Kolkata Knight Riders is the most followed IPL team on facebook.

Based in the one of the most sports loving cities of the country, Kolkata, KKR is the most followed IPL team on Facebook with 15.7 million likes.

The champion of 2012 and 2014 editions of IPL has taken a surprise decision to drop Gautam Gambhir and retain just Sunil Narine and Andre Russell for the 2018 season.

Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan's presence in the boardroom also helps to increase their popularity.

Players Retained- Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.