Who is the God of IPL? Players, Teams, and Nicknames Explained (2025 Update)

The Indian Premier League is not just a game for Indian cricket sports fans, it’s like a cricket festival. This festival emotionally connects cricket lovers across the globe, and every player works hard to perform their best. The IPL was announced in 2007, with its inaugural season played in 2008 in the T20 format.

This T20 cricket tournament has given so many thrilling and memorable moments. Unofficially, some IPL fans consider their favourite players to be the God of the IPL. However, die-hard fans give these nicknames to their idol players in honour of respect, love, and admiration from millions of fans.

In this article, we will learn who the God of IPL is, why the players got the nickname, and an in-depth look at the IPL teams.

The Rise of the God of IPL

Whoever gets the title of God of IPL in the IPL season has to put in an incredible effort for their team. Fans honoured this title only to those players who were in charge of the league and consistently gave the best performance. Not only this, fans also measured his skill, strategy making, how he supported his team, and much more, then he called him with the title of the God of IPL cricket. 

Every player who struggles for this title has to work hard and inspire millions of fans in the IPL seasons. The BCCI organised the Indian Premier League. The IPL league is not lucky for all the players. Only a few are lucky, those who have made a place in the hearts of their fans. If we are talking about who the top choices of cricket fans are, we found the names Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni

Read more: Which IPL Team Has the Most Fans in 2025? Fanbase Ranking

Contenders for the Title of God of IPL?

If you are a big fan of the IPL and want to know who the IPL god is, you will never find the answer. Many fans want to know who the real God of the IPL is. In this era of IL, every fan supports their idols. This is a big debate forever because these players made the competition very tough. And last but not least, the run machine, Virat Kohli, is also a part of the race. 

Each player’s claim to the title is backed by historical performances, stats, record, and winning titles. Every player has their specific quality; for example, Dhoni is known as the cool-headed, Sharma is like a power hitter, and Kohli’s amazing run record makes the God of IPL competition tougher. 

MS Dhoni: The Ultimate Captain

MS Dhoni is a well-known captain in the history of Indian cricket. In 2007, Dhoni brought the T20 World Cup to his country. He had a remarkable performance throughout his career. If we are talking about his IPL journey, Chennai Super Kings bought him for 9.5 crore in 2008, and he became the eye-catching player of this franchise. Meanwhile, this player has an amazing fan base around the World. But, he has a special place in the heart of Chennai people. Also, the fans of the Chennai citizens gave him the title “Thala” in honour of his respect and love. 

He is known to be quiet and tactful in the IPL. He led the team to five IPL titles, having launched the Chennai Super Kings to win crowns in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Besides, his capability to perform better in high-pressure matches, having smart strategies, and terminating the match in his playing fashion enables him to earn the IPL God adjective. Even at 43, he remains as fit as many younger players. Also, his huge hitting and striking unpredictability make fans love him to fight for him to be dubbed the God of IPL. 

Fans also know him as an experienced finisher with unbroken records. However, he is in the sixth position as the sixth-highest run scorer in the league. Dhoni has scored 5,346 runs across 234 innings. His journey includes 24 half-centuries. Therefore, he played so many successful innings, which made him the God of the IPL among his fans.  

• Franchise: Chennai Super Kings

• Titles: 5 (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)

• Runs: 5,346

• Fifties: 24

• Captaincy Record: Iconic

Read more: Vaibhav Suryavanshi: Youngest Century Scorer in IPL History | Fastest 100 in IPL 2025

Virat Kohli: The Run Machine

If we say that Virat Kohli was one of the unluckiest players in the history of the IPL, it will not be wrong. Meanwhile, he is known for his aggressive batting style and being a machine, making a runner in his overall career. Royal Challengers Bangalore bought Virat Kohli in 2008 when he won the Under-19 cup for India 2008. Since 2008, he has been a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. This franchise never gave him a chance to play his original game. He played as a middle-order batsman for this franchise from 2008 to 2012.

After that, Kohli got a chance to lead this franchise in 2013. Moreover, he held the captaincy of this team till 2021. During this time, his incredible strategies enabled the team to get to the 2016 finals. Regretfully, he could not carry the IPL trophy home for his club after losing that final against Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, he set numerous league records as an aggressive batsman. By making 8000 runs, Kohli is the highest run scorer in the history of the IPL. In his record, 57 half-centuries and 8 centuries were included. 

Moreover, Virat Kohli has won an orange cap two times in his IPL career; he won these two trophies during the 2016 to 2024 IPL seasons. From 2016, Virat started performing amazingly. Moreover, he has consistently been one of the league's top players. However, he has created an incredible record of 973 runs, including four centuries, in only 16 matches. After that, most fans consider them to be the God of IPL. His massive performance proved to be a beneficial player for his team. Not only that, but he also made the IPL league a wonderful event all over the world. This history of Virat Kohli is enough to consider him the God of the IPL league. 

• Franchise: Royal Challengers Bangalore

• Titles: 0

• Runs: 8,004 (IPL’s highest)

• Centuries: 8

• Fifties: 57

Read more: KKR vs RCB: Full Match History, Stats, Scorecards & Rivalry Insights – 2025 Update

Rohit Sharma: The Power Hitter

Rohit Sharma is remembered as one of the true Gods of the Indian Premier League. He is currently the captain of the one-day format, though. Rohit Sharma started with the Deccan Chargers. Under Adam Gilchrist's captaincy, he had won the IPL championship for the first time in 2009. As a result, Rohit Sharma experienced consistent success throughout 2008, 2009, and 2010. He once achieved a rare hat-trick while playing against the Mumbai Indians. In 2011, this exceptional batter joined the Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai Indians purchased him for 9.2 crores. Sharma's powerful performances proved to be a great asset to this franchise.

When he was hired as the captain of the Mumbai Indians, he had to face some difficulties. He replaced the Australian player Ricky Ponting because of his reckless leadership. With the help of wonderful strikes, he helped the team win its first IPL title in 2013. When Rohit Sharma gave his best performance, the Mumbai Indians decided to appoint him Captain. In the years of 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, he brought a winning trophy for his team. 

Furthermore, Rohit Sharma was seen as the IPL’s best skipper ever. However, Rohit became a difficult essential skipper, especially after Dhoni’s CSK claimed the 2023 title. At the same time, Rohit’s name is the third-highest run-getter in the list. He scored 6628 runs in almost 256 innings, making 43 half-centuries and two outstanding centuries. He is arguably one of the best openers in cricket history.

• Franchise: Mumbai Indians

• Titles: 5 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)

• Runs: 6,628

• Centuries: 2

• Fifties: 43

Read more: Most IPL Match-Fixing Team Scandals: Full History, Updates & Impact

Suryakumar Yadav: The Rising Star

After Dhoni, Rohit, and Virat, fans now consider Suryakumar Yadav the second God of cricket in the IPL League. His remarkable strokes and amazing drives forced fans to appreciate him with this title. Moreover, he made 345 runs by playing for the Mumbai Indians in 2024. His nickname, SKY, suits his playing personality. He rose in the sky during the IPL season. IPL gives new talent a chance by providing them with an amazing platform. He may be the future God of IPL if he continues his performance like this.  

• Franchise: Mumbai Indians

• Runs (2024): 345

• Style: Unorthodox and explosive

Chennai Super Kings

Some IPL fans are looking for who is the God of the IPL team. Before answering this question, we have to review some stats of the God of the IPL team. When it comes to the team, we consider the whole team's performance, not a single player. Moreover, with five IPL titles and having been a part of the finals ten times, this title goes to the Chennai Super Kings. A die-hard fan of the Chennai Super Kings is also called the Yellow Army. Moreover, some fans on the platform of Cricheroes are also called as the Baap of IPL in their local and desi language.

Titles: 5

Finals: 10

Fanbase: “Yellow Army”

Leader: MS Dhoni

CSK is the most consistent team in IPL history. Their success, stability, and iconic leadership under Dhoni make them the top contender for the God of IPL team title.

Read more: MS Dhoni Fastest Stumping Record: Full Timeline (2018–2025)

Mumbai Indians – The Most Decorated Franchise

Titles: 5

Legacy: Rohit Sharma era

Fanbase: One of the largest globally

While CSK wins hearts, Mumbai Indians win matches. Their five-title run under Rohit Sharma has made them the Baap of IPL in fan slang.

Comparison: Dhoni vs Kohli vs Sharma

To settle the who is the god of IPL debate, let’s compare the top three:

• MS Dhoni: 5 titles, 5,346 runs, 24 fifties, unmatched captaincy. Nickname: Thala.

• Virat Kohli: 8,004 runs, 8 centuries, no titles, but consistent. Nickname: King Kohli.

• Rohit Sharma: 5 titles, 6,628 runs, clutch performer. Nickname: Hitman.

Conclusion

The IPL is a platform where players rise to the stage where they are made gods and teams' legends. Nicknames such as Thala, Hitman, and King Kohli explain the charm of the league. Whether it’s MS Dhoni’s pole-positions, Virat Kohli’s run-scoring, or Rohit Sharma’s trophies, the god of IPL title is a testament to excellence. The god of the IPL team CSK and the dad of the IPL MI contribute to the legacy. As new stars rise and nicknames evolve, the IPL will keep creating heroes that fans worship, making it the ultimate cricket festival.

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