The whole conversation about who has the biggest fan following in the IPL just never seems to settle. Every season a few new names show up, some older ones slowly slip out of the spotlight and the teams also have their own highs and lows.
But even with all that changing, the noise around Virat Kohli somehow stays the same. Even in 2025, the moment people bring up this question, his name is usually the first one that comes out.
Kohli’s fan base goes way beyond stadium cheers. His presence online is massive and with RCB finally lifting the IPL trophy last season, the hype around him has only grown stronger. Still, fans keep asking whether he is truly unchallenged at the top or if someone has caught up.
MORE: Latest IPL News
Is Virat Kohli still the most-followed IPL player in 2025?
If we look at the numbers, the answer is yes. Virat Kohli’s following across social media platforms remains unmatched by any other IPL cricketer.
His overall fan count has crossed 387 million, which is something no other Indian player comes close to.
But Kohli’s popularity isn’t only because of his online presence. His batting records still makes him the face of the IPL. Many fans have grown up watching him bat for RCB and smashing the records every other season.
His brand value also stays strong because of his long association with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB has become a part of Kohli’s image and fans attach their emotions to both the player and the franchise.
MORE: All the Latest RCB News and Opinion
How does RCB’s rising popularity boost Virat Kohli’s fan base?
RCB winning their first IPL title changed everything. The team’s value shot up to $269 million, making them the most valuable franchise for the first time ever.
A lot of that buzz naturally carried over to Kohli, who remains the biggest identity of the team even though he is not captain anymore.
Fans always say RCB is an emotion and that emotion has lifted Kohli too. Over the years, people have stood by the team through heartbreaks, collapses, “chokers” jokes and near misses. Still, their fan base keeps growing every season.
RCB’s local connection in Karnataka, their digital engagement and their strong branding with tech partners have boosted the franchise more than ever before. Naturally, when the team becomes more popular, its biggest star also benefits.