Google recently rolled out its annual lists of the most searched topics, people, and places of 2024. From actors and sportspersons to travel destinations and trending topics, these records capture what the world was curious about this year. Among these categories, one that always garners significant attention is the list of most searched athletes. Sportspersons have a unique ability to inspire, entertain, and unite people across the globe, making them some of the most talked-about personalities on the internet.
In India, cricketers often dominate the list of most searched athletes. But if you assumed that Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, who guided India to the T20 World Cup victory this year, topped the list of most searched cricketers on Google in 2024, you’d be mistaken. Scroll down to find out which Indian cricketer dominated the list of most searched cricketers on Google in 2024.
Not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or MS Dhoni, but this Indian cricketer was the most searched cricketer on Google in 2024
All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was India’s vice-captain during the 2024 T20 World Cup, was the world’s most searched cricketer on Google this year. The T20 World Cup 2024 marked an end of India’s 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, and Pandya played a key role in the victory. With the bat, he contributed 144 runs at an impressive strike rate of over 151, while with the ball, he claimed 11 wickets at an economy of under eight runs per over. His best performance with the ball, 3 for 20, came in the big final against South Africa.
In the IPL 2024, however, Hardik Pandya’s performances, both as player and captain, came under the scanner. He averaged merely 18 with the bat but did better with the ball, claiming 11 wickets in 12 innings. However, Pandya still made news during the tournament for facing hostile reception across stadiums. His return to Mumbai Indians (MI) after two years, leaving Gujarat Titans (GT), created a stir. The 31-year-old replaced Rohit Sharma as MI captain—a move that didn’t sit well with fans, especially given Rohit’s legacy of leading the team to five IPL titles.
Apart from Hardik Pandya, Punjab Kings player Shashank Singh too was named in Google’s search list.
Most searched athletes on Google in 2024
While Hardik Pandya was the most searched cricketer, he was not the most searched athlete. Here’s the list of most searched athletes, according to Google’s Year in Search list:
- Imane Khelif
- Mike Tyson
- Lamine Yamal
- Simone Biles
- Jake Paul
- Nico Williams
- Hardik Pandya
- Scottie Scheffler
- Shashank Singh
- Rodri
While in India, the most searched athlete was wrestler Vinesh Phogat. At the Paris Olympics 2024, she qualified for the final but was disqualified for being around 100 grams overweight. Her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was rejected, leading to her disqualification and subsequent retirement from wrestling.
Hardik Pandya ranked as the second most searched athlete, followed by cricketers Shashank Singh and Abhishek Sharma in third and fourth positions. Badminton star Lakshya Sen secured the fifth place.