The Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya According to the recently released Google Search in Search report, he emerged as the most searched cricketer on Google in 2024. This increase in interest can be attributed to a series of high-profile events and performances that keep it in the spotlight throughout the year.
Reasons for Hardik Pandyan’s popularity
1.) Controversial captaincy action: One of the major factors contributing to Pandya’s dominance in the searches is his shock return to Mumbai Indians (MI) as captain ahead of the IPL 2024 season. After leading Gujarat Titans (GT) to victory in IPL 2022 and reaching the final in 2023, his return to MI has raised eyebrows, especially regarding the substitution. Rohit Sharmaa beloved figure among his fans. The move sparked intense discussion and debate on social media, with many voicing their views on his leadership ability.
2.) A disappointing IPL season: Despite the buzz about his captaincy, MI had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign finishing at the bottom of the points table. Pandya’s struggles as a captain led to increased scrutiny and criticism, further fueling public interest in his performance and decisions.
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3.) T20 World Cup win: The story took a positive turn for Hardik, who played a crucial role in India’s success T20 World Cup 2024 It is held in the West Indies and the United States. His spectacular performance in the final against South Africa, where he took 3 wickets for just 20 runs, helped India win their first ICC trophy in over a decade. His ability to defend nine runs in the final cemented his status as one of India’s best cricketers and contributed significantly to his search popularity.
4.) Social media noise: Throughout the year, Hardik has been a frequent topic of conversation on various platforms for his activities both on and off the field. His divorce from Serbian actress Natasha Stankovic, Rumors of a relationship with British model Jasmin Walia and involvement in promotional activities kept him relevant outside of cricket.
5.) General sports trends: Cricket dominated the search trends in India this year, with no Indian sports team making it to the top 10 most searched teams globally. The IPL and T20 World Cup were among the most popular sporting events that contributed to the increased interest in players like Hardik.
