Do you have a favourite IPL team? Half of all fans don't, says a new survey
Also read: IPL, elections are all fair game on illegal betting apps The study focused on brand-recognition dynamics during the league, and tracked about 130 brands in 25 product categories. Respondents were from the top metros and tier-2 cities including Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's popularity played a major role in making CSK a fan favourite.
The team has an 86% following in Chennai – surpassing the Daredevils' popularity in Delhi and the Super Giants' popularity in Lucknow – but its appeal transcends geographical boundaries. The study also found that fan allegiance isn't driven solely by victories on the field. Despite their consistent success in the IPL, CSK fans generally hold their team to a high standard while fans of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – which is yet to lift the trophy – are more lenient, the survey found, suggesting a RCB fans have a more emotional connection with their team.
However, CSK's immense fan base is not necessarily reflected in its valuation compared to those of other teams, indicating fan loyalty doesn't necessarily translate into brand value. While established teams command premium price tags, there are also opportunities for other teams such as Rajasthan Royals (RR), which is currently in second place. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants are also showing promise, with strong performances this year.
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