Ever wondered why the entire stadium went berserk with a thunderous “Viv! Viv!” for every boundary and six Vivian Richards hit during the fifth ODI of the series in Ahmedabad, even though the Indian team was on the receiving end of his onslaught? India’s love for cricket is undeniable. This passion isn’t just reserved for homegrown talent; overseas players also hold a special place in Indian hearts!

So, which foreign players have truly captured the Indian imagination? To find out, we took a deep dive into the popularity by compiling a list of our favourite players, both legacy and current, and looked at how often fans search for these players on Google. We compared their monthly search volumes in their home countries versus India using Google Keyword Planner. Based on the difference, we ranked the top 15 players according to their popularity in India. The results were fascinating!

Here’s the list of the top 15 cricketers more popular in India than in their home country!

Players	Country	MSV (Home Country)	MSV ( India )	Popularity Index
Vivian Richards	West Indies (Antigua & Barbuda)	260	135,000	519
Sunil Narine	West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago)	3,600	450,000	125
Chris Gayle	West Indies (Jamaica)	2,400	246,000	103
Andre Russell	West Indies (Jamaica)	2,400	201,000	84
Trent Boult	New Zealand	3,600	246,000	68
Rashid Khan	Afghanistan	6,600	368,000	56
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	9,900	450,000	45
AB de Villiers	South Africa	9,900	301,000	30
Kagiso Rabada	South Africa	6,600	135,000	20
Ricky Ponting	Australia	12,100	135,000	11
David Warner	Australia	49,500	550,000	11
James Anderson	England	27,100	301,000	11
Wasim Akram	Pakistan	40,500	246,000	6
Shoaib Akhtar	Pakistan	40,500	246,000	6
Shane Warne	Australia	33,100	110,000	3

*MSV: Monthly Search Volume

*Popularity Index: This metric highlights the number of times a player is searched for in India compared to their home country.

Sir Vivian Richards Tops the Chart as India’s Favorite Foreign Cricketer

Topping the list is the legendary Viv Richards. Believe it or not, Indian fans search for Richards over 500 times more than fans in his home country, Antigua! Richards’ upbeat personality, love for India (he considers it his second cricketing home) and incredible cricketing skills have left a lasting impression even after his retirement 33 years ago.

West Indies’ Players Leading the Popularity Index in India

Interestingly, the top four spots in the popularity index are dominated by West Indies players. 

You might wonder what the reason behind their massive popularity in India is. Their flamboyant style, aggressive batting, explosive fielding, and fast bowling have always been a hit with Indian fans. And who can forget the infectious “Calypso” spirit they bring to the game? The IPL has further strengthened this bond. 

Remember Chris Gayle’s astonishing innings of 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 IPL? Or Andre Russell’s record of being the fastest to 200 sixes in IPL 2024? And Sunil Narine’s recent milestone in the IPL 2024, where he became the third cricketer to claim more than 550 wickets in Men’s T20 cricket are just a few examples.

Legendary Players Dominating the Popularity Index in India

The data also reveals that retired legends like Viv Richards, Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers, Ricky Ponting, James Anderson, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Shane Warne are the most popular overseas players. 

Crpati’s spokesperson mentions, ‘Even today, the magic of legends like Viv Richards and James Anderson remains unmatched. They’ll always be cricketing royalty in India!’

The popularity of legendary players in India can be attributed to their historical impact, their emotional connection with Indian fans, and their continued presence in cricket. 

Viv Richards’ fearless batting in the 70s and 80s left an indelible mark, while Wasim Akram’s heroics in the 1992 World Cup are etched in memory. Shane Warne’s iconic bowling spells and his captaincy role in Rajasthan Royals’ IPL win in 2008 have secured his place in Indian hearts. Ricky Ponting’s coaching stints and commentary keep him relevant, while James Anderson and Shoaib Akhtar’s media presence ensures they stay in the limelight.

But it’s not just about on-field heroics. Players like Chris Gayle, with his infectious personality, and AB de Villiers, who embraces local languages, have genuinely tried to connect with Indian fans. Their involvement in marketing and endorsements, like Wasim Akram’s advertisements, further contribute to their presence. Legendary stories and myths, like Richards’ dominance and Warne’s magical deliveries, cement their status as cricketing royalty in India.

So, the next time you see an Indian crowd cheering on an overseas player, remember – it’s a clear sign of the special and strong bond between cricket, fans, and these incredible players!