IPL 2025's significant highlights: Sai Sudharsan's ascension, Shreyas Iyer's strong leadership, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi's first appearance - the impact on fans' preferred players
The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season witnessed a stirring change in the preferences of fans' favourite players, with several notable shifts in popularity. Here's a comprehensive analysis of these transformations and the factors that contributed to them:
## Emergence of New Favourites
1. **Rising Stars**: The 2025 IPL season played a significant role in elevating the popularity of certain players. For instance, a player garnered 10% more votes post-season, climbing from 10th place to second in the rankings[2]. This surge in popularity can be attributed to the player's impressive performances during the season.
2. **Influence of Team Success**: Team achievements, particularly victories and final standings, held great importance. For example, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) experienced a significant increase in brand value after qualifying for the playoffs, which likely boosted the popularity of their players[1].
## Key Elements of Change
- **Team Achievements**: The success of teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) sparked increased fan interest in their players. RCB's first-ever IPL title in 2025 significantly boosted their popularity and brand value[4].
- **Established Stars**: Players like Virat Kohli, who have long been fan favourites, continued to captivate attention. Their consistent performances and leadership roles in their teams, such as RCB, help maintain their popularity[4].
- **Performance in Crucial Matches**: Players who excelled in crucial matches, such as finals or playoffs, likely gained more fan attention. For example, the final between RCB and PBKS set a new record for the most-watched T20 match, which could have heightened the visibility of players involved[5].
In conclusion, the 2025 IPL season underscored the significance of team performance, player consistency, and visibility in crucial matches in shaping fan favourites.
[1] Source: 1xBet study [2] Source: 1xBet study [4] Source: 1xBet study [5] Source: ESPN Cricinfo
Sports enthusiasts may have noticed a shift in fans' favourite players during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, as rising stars like the one who climbed from 10th place to second in the rankings, gained more popularity due to their impressive performances. Moreover, the success of teams such as Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore significantly boosted the popularity of their players, with RCB's first-ever IPL title in 2025 attracting a surge of fan interest.
