As the world's largest platform for live, public conversations, Twitter was where Indians expressed, consumed and connected with their fellow compatriots over global and Indian events in real-time.
Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) smashed the world record for the highest individual ODI cricket score of 264 on November 13th versus Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That incredible batting display drove the biggest spike in conversations on Twitter in India this year. In fact, of the Top 10 moments, three are related to cricket including the Indian Premier League. The roar of the cricket fans, indeed, was heard on Twitter this year in India.
The fan club of Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) definitely made itself heard as well, with his arrival on Twitter making it the second largest peak in Twitter conversation of the year. With over 200,000 followers in the first 24 hours and now over 1.1 million in total, it's clear that he has many loyal fans both off and on Twitter.
Hardly surprising, two of the top 5 peaks in conversations were about PM Modi (@NarendraModi). With 8.5 million followers, he is currently the second most followed political leader in the world (after President Barack Obama) and continues to grow his followers at a rapid pace.
RANK | DATE | MOMENT |
1. | 13 Nov 2014 | Rohit Sharma scores 264 runs vs Sri Lanka. He claimed the record for the world's highest ever ODI score by an individual |
2. | 4 May 2014 | Rajinikanth joins Twitter with a message of thanks to his legion of fans and has over 200,000 followers within the first two days |
3. | 22 April 2014 | PM candidate Narendra Modi refrains his supporters from making irresponsible statements during the election campaign |
4. | 2 May 2014 | The 2014 season of the Pepsi IPL returns to India |
5. | 3 May 2014 | Narendra Modi gives an interview for a Hindi News channel leading to a big debate on Freedom of Press |
6. | 23 April 2014 | Kejriwal files nomination papers from Varanasi as Shazia Ilmi stokes controversy over communal comment |
7. | 23 Oct 2014 | India celebrates Diwali |
8. | 21 May 2014 | Arvind Kejriwal arrested for protesting on the streets of Delhi |
9. | 2 July 2014 | Outrage over tennis star Maria Sharapova claiming she does not know who cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is |
10. | 11 April 2014 | SP leader Abu Azmi's rakes up controversy by claiming there should be punishment involved women in rape cases |