Whenever the names of Dhoni and Kohli are mentioned on the cricket field, an invisible debate begins among fans across the country. Who is more popular? Whose fan base is bigger? This question is not limited to just numbers, but it is linked to emotions, identity and dedication towards cricket. If we compare it on the basis of social media, brand endorsements, and public response, then some interesting facts come to the fore.
Who dominates on social media?
According to data available on social media platforms or share by many journalists on websites, Virat Kohli has 272 million followers on Instagram, while Dhoni has around 50 million. Kohli also dominates Twitter (now X) – he has more than 50 million followers, while Dhoni has around 8.6 million. Kohli is ahead on Facebook as well, although the gap here is slightly less. These figures clearly show that Kohli’s influence in the digital world is much more than Dhoni. But can the number of followers alone be the measure of popularity?
An interesting aspect is that Dhoni is much less active on social media. He rarely posts, yet his fan following has not diminished. #Thala trends during Chennai Super Kings (CSK) matches, and his fan support is so passionate that it seems like a cult following. Kohli, on the other hand, regularly engages with his fans—be it cricket, fitness or moments from his personal life. So, Kohli’s social media dominance could also be a result of his productivity.
Who do brands prefer?
Both players are also the darlings of the market when it comes to brand endorsements. Kohli is the face of big companies like Puma, Audi, Myntra, Pepsi, and Star Sports. Dhoni, on the other hand, has signed deals with 42 brands by the end of 2024, including names like Lay’s, Citroen, Garuda Aerospace and Mastercard.
According to some reports, MS Dhoni has also surpassed Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. One thing to note here—Dhoni’s image as a reliable and calm leader is why he is liked more by the middle-class and traditional Indians. On the other hand, Virat Kohli is an icon for the youth, who are impressed by his aggressive batting and fashion sense.
Who has more impact on the field?
Kohli is still active in international cricket, while Dhoni has retired and plays only in the IPL (will retire soon). Yet, when Dhoni takes the field for Chennai Super Kings, the atmosphere in the stadium changes. The passion of his fans is so strong that they chant “Thala for a Reason” in every match.
On the other hand, Kohli’s influence is visible even during the match—his every small and big achievement trends on social media. In January 2025, when Virat made a return to the Ranji Trophy for Delhi against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the whole stadium got filled just to see Kohil. Such a crowd has never been recorded in the history of Ranji games and all happened, because fans are crazy for Virat!
Who is winning the battle of hearts?
If we talk about statistics, Virat Kohli is ahead—be it social media, brand deals, or Google search trends. But Dhoni’s magic resides in the hearts of his fans. He is a legend who is looked up to not just as a player but as a visionary leader. Kohli’s passion and Dhoni’s patience—both have enriched Indian cricket in different ways. Perhaps that is why this debate will never end. Because both their contributions on the cricket field are unparalleled, and fans love them in their own way.
Still, if we look for a straight answer, Kohli has the numbers but Dhoni has the emotional connect that cannot be measured in numbers.
