Move over, Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Step aside, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. The internet has spoken, and in a move that’s sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Punjab Kings has emerged as the most-searched IPL team on Google in 2025—and they’ve even cracked the global top five for all sports teams.
Yes, you read that right. The franchise often seen as the league’s perennial underdog has officially captured the world’s attention in a way its more decorated rivals haven’t this year.
Table of Contents
- The Shocking Google Ranking
- Why Punjab Kings, Not RCB or CSK?
- Inside PBKS’s Digital-First Revolution
- On-Field Success Fuels the Fire
- The Global PBKS Fanbase
- Conclusion: What This Means for the IPL
- Sources
The Shocking Google Ranking
According to Google’s official “Year in Search” data for 2025, Punjab Kings ranked an astonishing fourth on the list of the most-searched sports teams worldwide. This places them ahead of global football giants and, more notably for Indian fans, above every other IPL franchise—including the traditionally dominant RCB, CSK, and MI, who were conspicuously absent from the top tier [[2], [3]].
This isn’t just a vanity metric; it’s a powerful indicator of a team’s digital footprint, cultural relevance, and fan engagement on a truly global scale.
Why Punjab Kings, Not RCB or CSK?
For years, the narrative has been dominated by a few powerhouses. RCB boasts its massive fanbase and its Virat Kohli-led era. CSK has its “Thala” MS Dhoni and a legacy of titles. MI has its five trophies and corporate sheen. So how did PBKS break through?
The answer lies in a perfect storm of strategic marketing, on-field performance, and a digitally native fan engagement model that its rivals are only now trying to emulate.
Inside PBKS’s Digital-First Revolution
Punjab Kings didn’t just get lucky. Their management made a bold, calculated decision to go all-in on the digital space. For the IPL 2025 season, the team allocated a staggering 80% of its entire media budget to digital platforms . This “Digital-First” strategy, as they call it, was a masterstroke .
Instead of relying heavily on traditional TV and print, PBKS focused on:
- Social Media Storytelling: Creating authentic, behind-the-scenes content that resonated with a younger, global audience.
- Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with brands like Valvoline and Ecolink for integrated digital activations that extended their reach far beyond the cricket pitch [[12], [15]].
- Fan-Centric Campaigns: Engaging directly with fans through live Q&As, interactive polls, and personalized content.
This approach built a community, not just an audience. Co-owned by the charismatic Preity Zinta, the franchise has always had a strong brand identity, and in 2025, they leveraged it perfectly for the digital age .
On-Field Success Fuels the Fire
A clever marketing strategy can only go so far without results. In IPL 2025, Punjab Kings delivered on the field in spectacular fashion.
Under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS had a phenomenal run, finishing the league stage tied on points with RCB at the top of the table with 19 points [[21], [22]]. They ultimately went all the way to the final, where they were crowned runners-up . This sustained success gave fans a compelling reason to stay engaged, search for updates, and celebrate their team’s journey.
The Global PBKS Fanbase
PBKS’s appeal isn’t just a domestic phenomenon. Their aggressive digital strategy has cultivated a significant international following. The “Chardi Kala” spirit of Punjab has found a new, global expression through the team’s online presence .
From fans in the UK and Canada to a growing community in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the Punjab Kings have become a symbol of a new, modern, and globally connected India. Their social media metrics reflect this, with a combined following across platforms that has seen explosive growth, reaching an estimated 17 million in 2025 .
Conclusion: What This Means for the IPL
The rise of Punjab Kings as the most-searched IPL team is more than just a fun fact; it’s a watershed moment for the league. It proves that legacy and past trophies are no longer the sole determinants of a franchise’s popularity. In the digital era, a clear brand identity, authentic fan engagement, and a willingness to innovate are the new currency.
For other IPL teams, the message is clear: the playbook has changed. The fans are online, and they’re searching for a team they can connect with, not just one they can watch. In 2025, Punjab Kings wrote that new playbook, and the world took notice.
Sources
[1] Times of India: Not RCB, CSK or MI… this IPL team becomes world’s most-searched on Google
[2] Google Year in Search 2025 Data (as reported by various news outlets)
[3] Punjab Kings’ official social media confirmation on December 03, 2025
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