The year 2024 witnessed a surge in cricket’s global popularity, with the sport gaining traction in non-traditional cricketing nations. This rise was fueled by the USA co-hosting the T20 World Cup and cricket’s inclusion in the 2027 Los Angeles Olympics. In Qatar, a country with limited cricketing history, the sport gained remarkable attention, with six of the top ten most searched personalities on Google being cricketers. Among them, four were Indian players—but surprisingly, they were not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, or Hardik Pandya.
Sarfaraz Khan Leads the Way
Topping the list of most searched personalities in Qatar was Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan. The 27-year-old finally broke into the Indian Test team after years of consistent performances in domestic cricket. He made a significant impact on his debut tour of England and became a household name following a stellar 150-run knock against New Zealand in Bengaluru. In six Test matches, Sarfaraz has accumulated 371 runs at an average of 37.10, securing his place as a promising player for India.
Will Jacks: England’s IPL Sensation
Second on the list of cricketers and fifth overall was England’s all-rounder Will Jacks. His performances in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) caught the world’s attention, including a century that contributed to his season total of 230 runs. Jacks also impressed in international cricket, scoring 202 runs in 12 T20Is and 192 runs in 8 ODIs. His growing reputation saw him become one of the most sought-after overseas players in the IPL 2025 mega auction, where he was signed by Mumbai Indians for INR 5.25 crore.
Abhishek Sharma: The IPL Breakout Star
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was sixth overall and the third most searched cricketer in Qatar. The 24-year-old had a standout IPL season, scoring 484 runs in 16 matches at an astonishing strike rate of 204.21. He also made his T20I debut for India this year, and his century in just his second match further solidified his growing popularity. Abhishek has tallied 256 runs in 12 T20Is so far.
Ramandeep Singh and Ashutosh Sharma Make Their Mark
Ramandeep Singh (8th) and Ashutosh Sharma (10th) were also among the most searched personalities in Qatar. Ramandeep debuted for India during the South Africa tour and was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL title-winning campaign. The all-rounder was retained by KKR for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Ashutosh Sharma emerged as a revelation during his debut IPL season with Punjab Kings. The 26-year-old amassed 189 runs at a strike rate of 167.25 and will now represent Delhi Capitals in the next IPL season.
USA’s Aaron Jones Secures a Spot
Adding an international flavor to the list, USA batter Aaron Jones was ranked ninth. He impressed during the 2024 T20 World Cup, scoring 162 runs at an average of 40.5. His performances were crucial in elevating the visibility of cricket in the USA and beyond.
Cricket’s Global Expansion
The 2024 T20 World Cup and the upcoming 2027 Olympics have provided cricket with a platform to expand its reach globally. The interest in players like Sarfaraz Khan, Abhishek Sharma, and Aaron Jones highlights the sport’s growing appeal in non-traditional cricketing nations like Qatar, signifying a bright future for cricket’s global development.
