Across India, stadiums are more than just nets of white and grass every summer. The Indian Premier League is much more than just cricket; it is a phenomenon that takes strangers and produces not only comrades, but clans, and it turns cities into fan-based cults. For every boundary and every wicket, there is a fan base behind it all that has an entire city throbbing with pride. Here are the top five IPL teams who have the most visceral fan cultures, and the stories, chants and moments that made us all believers.
| Rank | Team | Followers on Instagram | Followers on Facebook | Followers on Twitter | Total Followers |
| 1 | Chennai Super Kings | 17.8 Million | 14 Million | 10.8 Million | 42.6 Million |
| 2 | Mumbai Indians | 16.3 Million | 14 Million | 8.3 Million | 38.6 Million |
| 3 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 18 Million | 10 Million | 7.3 Million | 35.3 Million |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 6.9 Million | 18 Million | 5.3 Million | 30.2 Million |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals | 4.2 Million | 9.1 Million | 2.6 Million | 15. 9 Million |
1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – The Whistle Army
Yellow is revered in Chennai. It is not a mere color; rather, it is a shield. The crowd erupts when CSK takes the field at Chepauk, It does not just reverberate. Led by one of the all time greats-MS Dhoni, the Super Kings have built loyalty that borders on devotion.
In 2018, CSK came back to the IPL after suspending the team for two years. Fans boarded trains from Chennai to Pune where CSK played their games as their home-ground. There was a woman in Chennai holding a sign that read “Dhoni is my heartbeat” who was on the screen of a news channel. She tells everyone that she has not missed a CSK match in over ten years. This isn’t fandom. This is faith.
2. Mumbai Indians (MI) – The Blue Sea
Mumbai, the city of dreams, breathes cricket. The Mumbai Indians are the most successful IPL team, and their fans wear their five titles like badges of honor. The Wankhede Stadium, when full, is deafening. You can feel the city’s pulse in every chant of “Sachin, Sachin,” even years after the legend retired.
I remember being in a packed sports bar during the 2019 final—MI vs CSK. The tension was so thick you could slice it. When Malinga bowled that last-ball slower yorker to seal the win, strangers jumped, hugged, screamed. One guy kissed the TV. No one laughed. We all understood.
3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – The Bold Army
No IPL trophy? Who cares? RCB supporters are proud and will keep their heads held high. Their loyalty is not tied to results; it is unconditional. Every season starts with optimism and ends with tears, yet “Ee sala cup namde” (This year is our year) will always be sung.
At M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, regardless of a loss or a win, red and black flags fly high. RCB supporters have a degree of pride that comes with their rebellious spirit. There is a community of supporters here, and it’s not based on trophies, but based on the collective dream.
In 2016, when Kohli and AB de Villiers chased down 229 against Gujarat, supporters stormed the streets in celebration. Fireworks went off all around the city. Everybody in the entire city of Bengaluru believed, at least for that night.
4. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo Re
When you have Shah Rukh Khan backing your team, the fandom has an element of drama from the outset. But it is not just the glitter that drives KKR; it is the people – it is their devotion to Eden Gardens like a temple.
The 2012 title win was cathartic. After years of mediocrity, KKR finally lifted the trophy and Kolkata responded with a parade that rivaled Durga Puja. I can still remember a rickshaw driver asking me, “Dada, now we have something to smile about every summer.”
The Purple Brigade is not just loud; they are poetic, passionate and so fiercely proud. Their anthem “Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo Re” is not merely a chant – it is a lifestyle.
5. Delhi Capitals (DC): The Resilient Believers
Delhi boasts a fanbase that epitomizes the spirit of the city-resilient, hopeful, and constantly adding to its ever-evolving identity. The Capitals’ progress amongst the rank of the perennial underdogs to contenders has taken place in sync with the hopes and dreams of their supporters.
With the young fans in attendance at the stadium and the digital fans lighting up their social feeds in support of their team, the energy and hope their fans bring with them is inspiring. Returning to the 2019 season, DC broke their playoff drought, and their passionate fans were celebrating as if they had won the championship. The “Dilliwalas” are known for witty chants, face paint in all forms of color, and for their unwavering belief that despite the odds, their day will come.
What makes IPL special isn’t just the cricket. It’s the fans who bring the drama, the soul, and the story. It’s the mother teaching her toddler team chants, the uncle who hasn’t missed a game since 2008, and the teenager painting her face before a big match. It’s more than loyalty—it’s identity.
In the IPL, the scoreboard may measure wins, but the stands measure hearts. And in that league, these five teams are always champions.
Written By Smita Singh
