Throughout 2023, cricketers have undeniably been at the forefront of numerous discussions. Their prominence extends to Google searches, reflecting the sport's widespread online interest. Virat Kohli, a consistently sought-after personality on Google, continues to enjoy immense popularity. Yet, there's a notable emergence of another rising talent in the cricketing sphere, Shubman Gill, who has notably impacted Google searches, especially in India and Pakistan.
Gill's exceptional performance across formats has propelled him to the top of Google searches in both India and Pakistan in 2023. Surprisingly, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam did not secure a place in the top 10 searches on Google in Pakistan, despite crucial tournaments like the 2023 Asia Cup and World Cup.
This year was pivotal for Babar Azam, marked by Pakistan's disappointing performance in major tournaments, leading to his resignation as captain. Interestingly, five cricketers, including three Pakistanis - Haseebullah Khan (10th), Abdullah Shafique (4th), and Saud Shakeel (9th) - featured in Pakistan's top 10 trending Google searches. Shubman Gill stood out as the lone Indian cricketer to make it to this elite list, showcasing his meteoric rise across all cricket formats.
Adding to the cricketing buzz, Australian star Glenn Maxwell emerged as the fifth cricketer on Pakistan's top 10 trending Google searches, highlighting the global impact of cricketing icons.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team prepares for a new chapter after Babar Azam's captaincy era, commencing with the first Test against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium on Thursday, December 14. Shan Masood has been appointed as the Test captain, marking the beginning of his tenure. In the T20I format, Shaheen Afridi takes charge, gearing up for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan face a daunting challenge, aiming to clinch their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil. It's been 28 years since Pakistan last won a Test match in Australia, with their last triumph dating back to 1995 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).