Game on: Conversations that kept sports fans connected this year onTwitter

After buckling under the COVID-19 lull last year, 2021 saw some of the biggest sporting events announcing their return across the world — much to the delight of sports fans globally. Be it from the comfort of their homes or from the edge of their seats in the stands, sports enthusiasts gave in to the adrenaline rush of cheering for their favourite teams and players. Amidst this high-octane atmosphere, Twitter became the preferred second screen for fans, transforming their experience and connecting them to athletes and sports conversations across the world. While exhilarating discussions about all things sports continued to light up the service, here’s a glance at conversations that united sports fans #OnlyOnTwitter.

#OnlyOnTwitter: Top sports Tweets of 2021

Methodology: Identified based on the total number of Retweets/Likes/ by Twitter accounts in India between Jan 1 to Nov 15, 2021

Most Retweeted Tweet in sports: Virat Kohli’s (@imVkohli) appreciation Tweet for M.S Dhoni’s (@msdhoni) match-winning play during the IPL

MS Dhoni (@msdhoni) had #CricketTwitter buzzing with his final-over master stroke against Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) that carried Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) into the season’s semi-finals. Among the awe-struck fans was Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) — India’s test captain himself who hailed his contemporary by calling him ‘King’ in an all-hearts appreciation Tweet. This became the most Retweeted Tweet in sports this year.

This was also the most Liked Tweet in Sports in 2021.

Anddddd the king is back ❤️the greatest finisher ever in the game. Made me jump Outta my seat once again tonight.@msdhoni

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 10, 2021

#OnlyOnTwitter: Most Tweeted about Sporting events:

Methodology: Ranked by most Tweeted hashtags by total authors using this hashtag on Twitter in India between Jan1 to Nov 15, 2021

Watching some of the biggest sporting events live — either from their couches or live on-ground — fans had much reason to feel enchanted across the latter half of the year. Those who couldn’t make it to the stadiums didn’t let it hamper their sporting spirits as they continued to cheer on their favorite teams and athletes on Twitter. Here are the most Tweeted about sporting events in India in 2021:

#Tokyo2020: The Tokyo Olympics had created a dramatic prelude to its 2021 resumption, after being postponed last year. Fans could barely contain their excitement and as the biggest global event finally unfurled, the service was abuzz with surround-sound cheers that echoed the names of Indian athletes loudly against the Tokyo stands and stadiums. This made #Tokyo2020 the top most Tweeted about event in India this year on Twitter.

#IPL2021: India’s biggest T20 cricket tournament, which was played in two phases this year, captivated fans across the country by keeping them glued to their TV screens and Twitter feeds. Their dedicated binging on nail-biting matches across the event made IPL 2021 the second most Tweeted sporting event in India this year.

#T20WorldCup: While Team India didn’t make it to the semi finals, cricket fans showed their undying love, support, and admiration by cheering for the team and players throughout the tournament on Twitter. While this emotional roller coaster hit right in the feels of the entire nation, #T20WorldCup emerged as one of the most discussed events by fans on Twitter in India.

#Paralympics: The 2021 edition of Tokyo Paralympics will never be forgotten, given the sheer display of passion, will, and undeterred love for sports across the entire event. All participating athletes were showered with adulation from Twitter fans as the nation came together on the service to celebrate the steadfast spirit of the Paralympics. Team India shone bright, winning a total of 19 medals, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze, marking its best ever performance at the Paralympic Games.

#Euro2020: Football fans were not let down as the #Euro2020 kept them on the edge of their seats with some nail-biting matches. The enthusiasm also resonated on Twitter as #Euro2020 was among the top five most Tweeted sporting events in India.

#OnlyOnTwitter: Top 5 catchphrases for sports on Twitter in 2021

Methodology: Ranked by most Tweeted hashtags, by total authors using this hashtag on Twitter in India between Jan1 to Nov 15, 2021

Led by MS Dhoni (@msdhoni), Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) became the most Tweeted about team in #IPL2021. Subsequently, their team hashtags #WhistlePodu and #Yellove became the most Tweeted catchphrase in sports across the year. This was followed by #PlayBold and #OneFamily — hashtags of the other two popular #IPL2021 franchisees Royal Challengers Bangalore (@rcbtweets) and Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) respectively. Lastly, the entire nation cheered for Indian athletes at #Tokyo2020 unanimously with the hashtag, #Cheer4India completing the top five Tweeted catchphrases list for this year.

1. #WhistlePodu
2. #Yellove

1. #PlayBold
2. #OneFamily
3. #Cheer4India

#OnlyOnTwitter: Top 5 Most Tweeted about sportspeople in 2021

Methodology: Ranked by number of Tweets by total authors in India between Jan 1 - Nov 15, 2021

The sports fever drum rolled hard on the service, putting the spotlight on Indian athletes on Twitter. The most Tweeted about Indian athletes featured ace skipper, Virat Kohli (@imVkohli), followed by legendary cricketer MS Dhoni (@msdhoni), Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt), T20 & ODI skipper of Team India, Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45), and former Indian batsman Virendra Sehwag (@virendersehwag).

1. Virat Kohli (@imVkohli)
2. MS Dhoni (@msdhoni)
3. Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
4. Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45)
5. Virendra Sehwag (@virendersehwag)

#OnlyOnTwitter: Top 5 Most Tweeted about Indian Olympic athletes in 2021

Methodology: Ranked by number of Tweets by total authors in India between Jan 1 - Nov 15, 2021

It was the year of the Olympics and Indian athletes served up a great volley of victories that won the hearts of their fans on Twitter. Badminton star PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu1) became the ‘most Tweeted about’ Olympian athlete on Twitter in India in 2021. Taking the second spot under the same title was golden boy Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1), while the third podium finish was filled by bronze medal winner Bajrang Punia (@BajrangPunia). Star Indian athletes, Lovlina Borgohain (@LovlinaBorgohai) and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) did not get a podium finish, but made it to the top 5 and inspired billions of young female athletes in India and across the world.

1. PV Sindhu (@Pvsindhu1)
2. Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1)
3. Bajrang Punia (@BajrangPunia)
4. Lovlina Borgohain (@LovlinaBorgohai)
5. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu)

#OnlyOnTwitter: Top 5 Most Tweeted about IPL Teams on Twitter

Methodology: Ranked by number of total Tweets mentioning this handle on Twitter in India from Jan 1 to Nov 15, 2021

Just like their performance on the field, the men in Yellow also dominated off-field conversations on Twitter as they registered their fourth IPL title. Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) was the most Tweeted about team on Twitter in 2021, followed by Royal Challengers Bangalore (@rcbtweets), Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan), Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals), and event runners-up Kolkata Knight Riders (@kkriders).

1. Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore (@rcbtweets)
3. Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
4. Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
5. Kolkata Knight Riders (@kkriders)