Google’s ‘Year in Search 2025’ reveals how IPL fever took over India

Prachi Rajan

IPL frenzy revealed by Google’s ‘Year in Search 2025’ (Source: AFP)IPL frenzy revealed by Google’s ‘Year in Search 2025’ (Source: AFP)

Cricket has undoubtedly made a mark in Google’s Year in Search 2025, with 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi reigning the charts as the most searched person in the country. Not only that, but the most enjoyed cricket carnival, the Indian Premier League (IPL), ranks top in overall searches in India.  

With people intrigued to see IPL live scores and the 2025 orange cap and purple cap winners, the cash-rich tournament remains the most explored topic in India. 

Cricket frenzy in India continue fueled by the IPL fire

Indeed, the IPL has revolutionised the cricketing landscape, not just in India but globally. Since its inception, the IPL has bridged the gap between domestic cricket and international stardom, providing players with a platform to showcase their skills while creating an unmatched fan experience. 

Redefining fan engagement and contributing significantly to the sport’s economic and social ecosystem, India's premier T20 league has become a household name.

Franchises gain surprisingly massive global popularity 

Notably, the fandom is not limited to the league; by the end of 2025, IPL franchises, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, have become the fourth and fifth-ranked most searched sports teams across the globe. Leaving names like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings behind. 

No doubt, apart from the rule changes, the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) was a step ahead in the tournament's history. 

What made the IPL 2025 so different from before?

Here's a brief look: 

  • The season featured a mega player auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the sixth in IPL history, leading to significant overhauls in team compositions.
  • Numerous high-profile players were transferred to new franchises, including Rishabh Pant to Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul to Delhi Capitals, Yuzvendra Chahal to Punjab Kings, and Mohammed Siraj to Gujarat Titans.
  • As many as five teams started the season with new captains, including Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer; Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane; Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant; Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel; Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar.
  • Another reason was a significant change of team support staff, with figures like Ricky Ponting joining the Punjab Kings as head coach and Rahul Dravid taking the head coach role at the Rajasthan Royals.
  • Lastly, due to the India-Pak geopolitical conflict and tense situations that led to the tournament's suspension and rescheduling, the playoff venues were changed from the initial plan, with the final held in Ahmedabad instead of Kolkata. 

The factors mentioned above certainly kept the anticipation around the league alive. 

The league found a new winner 

After 18 long years, it was history in the making as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted their first IPL trophy. For nearly two decades, Virat Kohli has carried the weight of RCB’s expectations on his shoulders. On a historic night in Ahmedabad in his 18th season with the franchise, that burden finally turned into triumph.

The IPL 2025 final in itself was one of the most unexpected battles, with Punjab Kings, the league's perennial under performers, reaching the final after a hiatus of 11 years, under the astute captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. 

Looking back, the 18th edition of the cash-rich tournament was nothing less than a thriller directed by Christopher Nolan himself. 

IPL 2026 Auction and Player Trades keep the fire alive

Undoubtedly, the previous edition was one to watch for, but by the end of the year, the upcoming IPL 2026 has already kept the fans on the edge of their seats. 

Major players' trades, including Sanju Samson to CSK in return for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to RR, have changed the course of the league.