Not T20 World Cup or Paris Olympics, this showpiece event was the most searched sporting event of 2024 in India as per Google

Despite the immense excitement surrounding the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and the Paris Olympics, neither event topped the list of India's most searched sporting events of the year. According to data released by Google, it was the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 which was the most searched sporting event in India. The T20 World Cup 2024, where India ended up winning the title ending the 11-year-long drought of ICC trophy, secured the second position, while the Olympics, which saw several Indian athletes come close to medals, ranked third.

Let's have a look at the list of sporting events which kept buzzing around in India:

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Not just this, Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup also topped the list of most searched trends in 2024. Following closely behind were the Bharatiya Janata Party and Election Results 2024, securing the third and fourth positions, respectively. The Paris Olympics ranked fifth on the list of top searched trends.

When it comes to specific matches, the India versus England series was the most searched. The two teams faced off in a five-match Test series and a T20 World Cup semi-final. Following closely behind were matches involving India against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. The India vs South Africa series, which included a T20 World Cup final and a four-match T20I series, ranked sixth. Surprisingly, the India vs Pakistan match was only the seventh most searched. The Pakistan vs England series and the IPL matches between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), as well as Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings, rounded out the top ten.

Trends beyond sports

2024 was a year marked by diverse interests in India. Beyond sports, entertainment was a major driver of searches. Movies like Stree 2 and popular K-dramas captivated audiences. Additionally, Indian music enthusiasts explored indie hits like 'Nadaaniyan'. The year also saw a surge in searches related to current affairs and social issues. People sought information on the election results and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Practical queries like 'how to vote' and 'AQI near me' reflected a growing awareness of civic duties and environmental concerns.