2021 saw India coming together on Twitter, here’s how

Connection was more important than it had ever been in 2021. Whether it was people engaging with strangers on Twitter during the COVID-19 second wave in India and changing the service into a real-time helpline, or establishing friendships and declaring them to the world through hashtags like #WeMetOnTwitter, the service was transformed.  People came to the platform to watch sports together and have real-time conversations, from #Tokyo2020 to #CricketTwitter.

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People also connected in new ways, with Twitter Spaces introducing a novel way to hear from and interact with people all over the world. Spaces facilitated and unlocked genuine, open Twitter conversations with the authenticity, nuance, depth, and power that only a human voice can provide . Here’s a look back at the voices, trends, and moments that ruled Twitter in India in 2021.

#OnlyOnTwitter: Golden Tweets of 2021

Methodology: Between January 1 and November 15, 2021, Twitter accounts in India were ranked by the number of Retweets/Likes they received.

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Most Retweeted Tweet: Pat Cummins’ (@patcummins30) Tweet about his donation to COVID relief in India

People from all over the world came forth to help India as the second COVID-19 wave hit the country. Pat Cummins (@patcummins30), an Australian cricketer, was one of them, donating to COVID relief in India and encouraging others to do the same on Twitter. People all over India were grateful for the Tweet’s generosity, making it the most Retweeted Tweet in India in 2021. 

This was also the most Quote Tweeted Tweet of the year.

Methodology: Between January 1 and November 15, 2021, the number of total authors on Twitter in India was ranked.  

Most Liked Tweet: Virat Kohli’s (@imVkohli)  Tweet announcing the birth of his daughter

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Cricketer Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma), welcomed a daughter earlier this year. Kohli’s Tweet announcing the birth of their baby girl was greeted with joy by the couple’s fans as well as the rest of India, making it the year’s most liked tweet. The ‘Most Liked Tweet of 2020’ was Virat Kohli’s (@imVkohli) announcement of Anushka Sharma’s pregnancy last year.

Most Liked Tweet in Government: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s (@narendramodi) Tweet congratulating #TeamIndia for their historic test win against Australia at the Gabba

The Indian cricket team began the year with one of the most historic victories in Indian cricket history, defeating Australia at the Gabba and igniting global debate – including on Twitter. Indian cricket fans all over the world applauded and praised the team. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) was also present at the service to congratulate the team.

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Most Retweeted Tweet in entertainment: Vijay’s (@actorvijay) Tweet unveiling the first look of #Beast

Fans of entertainment, particularly those who speak Tamil, are among the most ardent Twitter users. When Vijay (@actorvijay) tweeted the first look of his much-anticipated film #Beast, fans were ecstatic and left no stone unturned in expressing their delight. Because of the actor’s celebrity, this Tweet became the most retweeted in the entertainment industry.

Hashtags with the most tweets 

Methodology: Conversations on Twitter in India were ranked by the number of total authors between January 1 and November 15, 2021.

#Covid19

#FarmersProtest

#TeamIndia

#Tokyo2020