2024 has been a remarkable year for Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya, who has emerged as the most searched Indian sportsperson globally, according to Google Year in Search 2024. Ranking seventh among the most searched sportspersons worldwide, Pandya’s popularity continues to reflect his significant impact on the sport.
This year has been particularly career-defining for the 31-year-old all-rounder, showcasing the extreme highs and lows athletes often face. Ahead of the season, Pandya made a surprising move to the Mumbai Indians, leaving behind two successful seasons with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the added pressure of being named captain of the five-time champions, expectations were high.
Unfortunately, the IPL 2024 season did not go as planned for Pandya and the Mumbai Indians. The team faced numerous challenges throughout the tournament and finished at the bottom of the standings. This disappointing outcome could have been a significant setback for any player, but Pandya demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Shortly after the IPL, the stage was set for the T20 World Cup 2024. Pandya’s performance in this tournament was nothing short of exceptional, helping India regain its competitive edge on the international stage. His vital contributions were crucial in leading India through to the final against South Africa. In this thrilling match, Pandya recorded impressive bowling figures of 3 wickets for just 20 runs in three overs, showcasing his skill and adaptability, especially during the pivotal death overs.
While cricket dominated the search trends in India throughout the year, it’s noteworthy that no Indian sports team made it to the global top 10 most searched teams. Nonetheless, the IPL was the top trending search overall in India, followed by significant events like the T20 World Cup, the Olympics (5th), the Pro Kabaddi League (9th), and the Indian Super League (10th).
In terms of trending searches related to sports events in India, the rankings were as follows:
1. Indian Premier League
2. T20 World Cup
3. Olympics
4. Pro Kabaddi League
5. Indian Super League
6. Women’s Premier League
7. Copa America
8. Duleep Trophy
9. UEFA Euro
10. Under-19 World Cup
Alongside Hardik Pandya, several other sportspersons also made significant waves in 2024. Notably, Vinesh Phogat was the top trending person in India this year. She captured headlines for reaching the finals in the women’s 50kg wrestling event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, though she was ultimately disqualified for being overweight. Additionally, badminton player Lakshya Sen, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal, also ranked among the top 10 searched people.
Cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Shashank Singh, who both shone in the IPL with their respective teams, further contributed to the fascinating landscape of Indian sports trends this year.
In conclusion, Hardik Pandya’s journey in 2024 highlights both the challenges and triumphs of an athlete’s career. Despite the setbacks at the IPL, his stellar performance in the T20 World Cup has reaffirmed his status as one of the premier cricketers in India. This year has been a testament to Pandya’s resilience and tenacity, inspiring countless aspiring athletes across the nation.