Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the Indian Premier League, has unveiled the five most talked-about cricketers in India during the ongoing IPL season. From record-shattering performances on the field to extended absences that sparked endless debate, these players have dominated conversations among fans throughout the tournament.
The list was compiled with the help of Distillery, Star Sports' central analytics arm, which tracked the players generating the biggest buzz across social media platforms. Surprisingly, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi wasn't in the top five players that were the most-talked about during IPL 2026.
The star power of the old guard still holds true as the list was headed by Virat Kohli, ahead of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Here's a look at the five cricketers who have made the list by Distillery:
1. Virat Kohli (44%)
Virat Kohli once again emerged as the biggest talking point of the IPL. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain has been in prolific form, scoring 379 runs to lead RCB's batting charts this season. Kohli added more milestones to his glittering career by becoming only the third player in IPL history to smash 300 sixes, achieving the feat against Gujarat Titans.
He then became the first batter ever to complete 9,000 league runs during a match against Delhi Capitals. His consistency also saw him briefly hold the Orange Cap, further cementing his status as the league's biggest attraction.
2. MS Dhoni (21%)
Despite not playing a single match this season because of injury, MS Dhoni remains one of the IPL's biggest talking points. The legendary Chennai Super Kings captain continues to command immense attention, with fans eagerly awaiting updates on his fitness ahead of every CSK game.
Speculation around Dhoni's future has only intensified the conversation, with some fans even believing he may have already played his final IPL match last season and could formally announce his retirement at the end of this campaign. Even from the sidelines, Dhoni's aura continues to dominate social media discourse.
Also Read | Virat Kohli Becomes First Batter To Reach 9,000 Runs In IPL History As RCB Thrash DC
3. Rohit Sharma (18%)
Rohit Sharma's season has been interrupted by injury, but the Mumbai Indians veteran has still remained firmly in the spotlight. The opener scored 243 runs in six matches, including two half-centuries, before a hamstring issue forced him to miss games midway through the campaign.
Mumbai Indians' inconsistent performances and Rohit's absence only increased the attention around him, proving that the veteran batter continues to be one of the league's most influential figures both on and off the field.
From record-breaking knocks to viral moments, these stars kept fans talking all season long ????????????
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 12, 2026
Presenting the Top 5 most talked about players in India during #TATAIPL 2026 ????
P.S. Distillery is the central analytics arm of Star Sports, tracking social conversations from… pic.twitter.com/kUU0gaWx8x
4. Sanju Samson (10%)
Sanju Samson was already a major talking point before the season began following his high-profile move from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai Super Kings. After a slow start, Samson found top form and has since struck two centuries this season.
His resurgence with the bat has played a crucial role in CSK's successful campaign and helped keep him among the most discussed players of IPL 2026.
5. KL Rahul (8%)
KL Rahul's consistency has once again stood out this season, but it was his sensational unbeaten 152 against Punjab Kings that truly sent social media into overdrive. Rahul produced arguably the finest T20 innings of his career, becoming the Indian batter with the highest individual score in IPL history.
His 152* is also the third-highest individual score in the league's history, behind only Chris Gayle's 175* and Brendon McCullum's unbeaten 158. Although the knock came in a losing cause, Rahul's breathtaking innings dominated online conversations for days.
ALSO READ | IPL Overkill? Viewership 'Drops 26%' As T20 Fatigue Likely Sets In Post-World Cup
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