Kohli, Dhoni top chart for most searched cricketers globally

MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Sachin Tendulkar, Hardik Pandya and Yuvraj Singh were ranked second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the study, respectively.

 They were searched an average of 9.59, 7.33, 4.51, 3.68, and 3.48 lakh times each month, respectively.

 The SEMrush study analysed data from global searches giving credence to the fact that the players ranked among the top ten, were popular not only in India but overseas as well. Yet there is strong reason to believe that most global searches for cricketers were made by Indians living in the Indian subcontinent and abroad. 

 Furthermore, besides three players i.e. Steve Smith, Ab de Villiers and Chris Gayle, all others among the top ten were Indian. Hence the majority of those searching for them are Indians or have ties to India.  

 Despite cricket being by far the most popular sport in India, globally searches for the England cricket team exceeded those for the Indian cricket team. The former was searched an average of 3.51 lakh times and the latter an average of 3.09 lakh times. 

 Both teams are among the two most searched for globally. 

 Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe were searched an average of merely fifteen thousand, seven thousand, and five thousand times each month, respectively. In the SEMrush study the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lankan teams were ranked third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Speaking about the results of the study , Mr. Fernando Angulo, Head of Communications, SEMrush  said "We've elegantly captured the pulse of Cricket globally. While our study was global, it is more relevant to India than any other country. Indians worship Cricket and are certainly the majority of those searching for Cricketers and teams online. The only real surprise in our study was that the over the period studied, the England Cricket Team was searched more frequently than the Indian Cricket Team. Certainly, the number of Indians searching for Cricket online exceeds the number of Englishmen doing the same; the implication is that Indians are eagerly following the English Cricket Team. For manufacturers, Indians interest in the England Cricket Team presents a valuable marketing opportunity. Sporting goods, apparel, and merchandise associated with England and its Cricket team are likely to capture the attention of Indians; more so than goods associated with other sports teams besides India's.

 He went on to say "Our study shows, Virat Kohli is the most potent symbol of Cricket globally, advertisers who associate their products with him stand to win with consumers. Other players among the top ten are valuable assets as well. Sachin Tendulkar remains hugely popular despite having retired from Cricket. The SEMrush study shows he retains much marketing clout".