Sports in 2018: #WhistlePodu, #IPL2018 two of the top 10 discussed topics on Twitter

Since its inception, Twitter has given common people a platform to not just interact with their favourite personalities, but over the course of the period it has turned out to be a platform for debate and discussions and even campaigns. 2018 was another such eventful year for Indian Twitterati who engaged themselves into various topics - from #MeToo movement and the debates and discussions on the various state elections to conversations on #IPL. At the end of 2018, Twitter released a list of top 10 most discussed topics on social media site and #WhistlePodu and #IPL2018 are the two sports topics to feature on the list. 

#WhistlePodu was the eight-most used hashtag in India on Twitter in 2018, while #IPL2018 finished tenth on the list which was topped by #Sarkar (on Tamil film starring Thalapathy Vijay)

Chennai Super Kings marked their return to IPL after they were suspended for two years over a corruption case. And with their return, CSK became a trending topic since the big IPL auction that was held at the start of the year with enthusiastic fans chanting #WhistlePodu on Twitter. The return of CSK implied Mahendra Singh Dhoni back as their skipper and discussions on the social media site had increased with the veteran cricketer displaying his remarkable skills with the bat and with the gloves. 

Chennai won six of their seven home matches in the season but managed only three victories in heir away clashes. With 18 points from 14 matches, CSK finished second to book a place in the first Qualifier. They defeated league toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad before emulating the same in the final as well and win their third IPL trophy. With CSK displaying stunning cricket through the season, #WhistlePodu became a Twitter-frenzy hashtag among their fans.

Alongside CSK, IPL continued its dominance on Twitter as #IPL2018 emerged as the second-most major topic of conversation on Twitter. In fact, for the entire season, Twitter came out with special emojis to add to fans’ enthusiasm as they expressed their opinions on their favourite teams.

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