When Lauren Bell registered for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the year Women’s Premier League (WPL)few could have predicted how dramatically his life would change – both on and off the field. The Englishman not only lifted his second WPL trophy with RCB but also witnessed an unprecedented rise in his global fan base, making him one of the most talked about cricketers of the season.
Bell’s journey with the Bengaluru franchise has been nothing short of transformational. The moment he donned the red and gold jersey, his popularity began to soar thanks to a passionate and loyal RCB fan base long known for embracing their stars wholeheartedly.
Lauren Bell reacts to viral fame after RCB heroics
talking about Wisden Women’s Cricket Weekly podcastBell admitted that he is still trying to process the huge increase in his social media presence.
She started the year with nearly 800,000 followers on Instagram. In just the first week of the WPL, it crossed the one million mark. Today, he has a staggering 2.3 million followers.
“I remember when I first got out there and hit a million in the first week, I was like, ‘How do I have a million people following me on Instagram?’ I thought. This is madness” Bell said.
Despite his meteoric rise, he insists his approach to social media hasn’t changed.
“I still post like I have 10 friends. I guess that’s part of it and why people follow me.” she said laughing.
Bell is now the third most followed English cricketer on Instagram, trailing only If Buttler and Ben Stokes. Interestingly, it surpassed the combined viewership Joe Root and Jofra Archer – a statistic that highlights the scale of its growth.
RCB’s new fan favourite
Numbers aside, Bell has become a cultural phenomenon among RCB supporters. Viral clips featuring his signature smile and dimples have been regularly shared across platforms, earning him the unofficial tag of the RCB community’s new crush.
However, the connection goes deeper than viral moments. Bell credits the franchise’s passionate supporters with making him feel immediately at home.
“They have such a passionate fan base and I felt really supported. I don’t think about it too much, but I think it’s crazy that two million people are watching what I’m making.” Bell added.
Back up the noise with on-field brilliance
While his social media fame grabbed the headlines, Bell let his cricket do the talking. He played a crucial role in RCB’s title-winning campaign, finishing the tournament with 12 wickets. More notable was his exceptional control – he maintained an economy rate of 5.52, the best of all bowlers in the competition.
in the final against Capitals of DelhiBell bowled a disciplined four-over spell, conceding just 19 runs. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana later describing his performance as a match-winner, highlighting the team’s confidence in him in moments of high pressure.
SEE ALSO: The 7 Most Stunning Photos of Southern Brave Star Lauren Bell – The Hundred
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
