IPL 2017: Facebook and Instagram bring fans up close with players
The tenth edition of the IPL is expected to be the biggest and most exciting tournament in the event’s history with 8 teams competing across India, culminating with the final on May 21st at the home of the 2016 champions SunRisers Hyderabad.
This year, IPL fans can get up close and personal with their favourite players and teams via social media.
Since rolling out Facebook Live, we’ve seen cricketers and publishers around the world seize the opportunity to share their experiences as they happen and this IPL season, fans have been able to get closer to the action than every before and enjoy real-time match analysis, reviews, behind the scenes action, player Q&As and more.
SunRisers Hyderabad return to their team hotel victorious after their opening night win: https://www.facebook.com/sunrisershyderabad/videos/1408965369173920/
Rohit Sharma in the nets with the Mumbai Indians: https://www.facebook.com/mumbaiindians/posts/10155055798680429
Kolkata Knight Riders net session as they prepare for their first match in Rajkot: https://www.facebook.com/KolkataKnightRiders/posts/10155215781939490
Virender Sehwag interacts with fans from the Kings XI Punjab training camp: https://www.facebook.com/KingsXIPunjab/posts/1617133228301103
Here are the top 10 players on Facebook:
Virat Kohli (Bangalore)
MS Dhoni (Pune)
Yuvraj Singh (Hyderabad)
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai)
Shakib Al Hasan (Kolkata)
Chris Gayle (Bangalore)
Shikhar Dhawan (Hyderabad)
Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata)
Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai)
Glenn Maxwell (Punjab)
Fans of all 8 teams can add frames to their profile pictures to show support for their favourite teams. Fans can visit the teams' pages to discover the frames. This season fans will have even more opportunities to show their support as team release additional frames throughout the season.
Here are the top 10 players on Instagram:
Virat Kohli (Bangalore)
MS Dhoni (Pune)
AB de Villiers (Bangalore)
Yuvraj Singh (Hyderabad)
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai)
Suresh Raina (Gujarat)
Chris Gayle (Bangalore)
Harbhajan Singh (Mumbai)
Ravindra Jadeja (Gujarat)
Ajinkya Rahane (Pune)
Here are the IPL teams on Facebook and Instagram:
Delhi Daredevils / @officialdaredevils
Gujarat Lions / @thegujaratlions
Kings XI Punjab /@kxipofficial
Kolkata Knight Riders / @kkriders
Mumbai Indians / @mumbaiindians
Rising Pune Supergiant /@punesupergiants
Royal Challengers Bangalore /@royalchallengersbangalore
SunRisers Hyderabad /@sunrisershyd
The IPL on Instagram
On Instagram, the IPL and teams have been sharing warm-up match footage and behind-the-scenes content, including a match-winning reaction from team owner Shah Rukh Khan by KKR, A makeshift “pitch” on a rainy day in Hyderabad by the IPL and Pune showing off a new look for captain Steve Smith.
IPL Players on Instagram
Instagram is home to the most authentic athlete moments on social media and the IPL is no exception. With over 165 IPL players on Instagram this season, fans are privy to an unprecedented inside look into the life of an IPL cricketer.
Hyderabad's @rashid.khan19 shares a proudly showcases with his Man of the Match Trophy
Hyderabad's @shikhardofficial, @yuvisofficial and Ashish Nehra practice their dance moves
Pune's @mahi7781 uses boomerang to show off his dance moves
Bangalore's @virat.kolhi keeps fans updated on his progress
Extra cover: IPL 2017 Points Table