Cricket, a game of strategy and skill, often witnesses individual brilliance. The “Player of the Match” award celebrates such outstanding performances.
Interestingly, this award doesn’t always go to a player from the winning team. Sometimes, a player shines so brightly that, even in defeat, they earn this honor.
Top Cricketers with Most Player of the Match Awards
The Player of the Match award, often referred to as Man of the Match, honors the standout performer of a game.
Interestingly, there’s no official rule stating it must go to a player from the victorious side. Sometimes, a player from the defeated team shines so brightly that they earn this accolade.
1. Sachin Tendulkar: A Legacy of 76 Awards
Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the “God of Cricket,” tops the list with 76 awards. He clinched 14 in Tests and a staggering 62 in ODIs.
Notably, he was the “Man of the Tournament” during the 2003 World Cup. Over his 24-year career, Tendulkar accumulated more than 34,000 runs, making him the leading international run-scorer.
2. Virat Kohli: Close Behind with 63 Awards
Virat Kohli, another Indian cricketing icon, has secured 63 Player of the Match awards. His tally includes 10 in Tests, 38 in ODIs, and 15 in T20Is. Impressively, Kohli holds the record for the most awards in T20Is.
He’s also the only cricketer to be named “Man of the Tournament” in two World Cups. With 25,582 runs, Kohli stands as the second-highest run-scorer among Indians.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya: A Sri Lankan Gem with 58 Awards
Sanath Jayasuriya, a legendary Sri Lankan all-rounder, has 58 awards to his name. His contributions include 4 in Tests, 48 in ODIs, and 6 in T20Is. Jayasuriya’s career, spanning from 1989 to 2011, saw him amass 21,032 international runs.
4. Jacques Kallis: An All-Rounder’s Tale of 57 Awards
South African maestro Jacques Kallis boasts 57 awards. He’s won the most Player of the Match awards in Tests worldwide, with 23.
Kallis, often regarded as one of the finest all-rounders, scored 25,534 runs and took 577 wickets, the highest by a South African.
5. Kumar Sangakkara: Sri Lanka’s Pride with 50 Awards
Kumar Sangakkara, another Sri Lankan legend, has 50 awards. With 28,016 runs, he’s only second to Tendulkar in international runs. His awards include 16 in Tests, 31 in ODIs, and 3 in T20Is.
Top Cricketers in ODI with the Most Player of the Match Awards
While Sri Lankan southpaw Sanath Jayasuriya is second in ODI cricket player of the match awards, Sachin Tendulkar has won the most of them.
In the following list of players with the most man of the match awards in ODI cricket, Pakistani superstar Shahid Afridi ranks third, Jacques Kallis, the leader in tests, ranks fourth, and the great destroyer batter of yesteryear, King Viv, is sixth with relatively little ODIs played.
1. Sachin Tendulkar: The Master of 62 Awards
Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the “master blaster,” has an impressive record. In 463 ODI matches from 1989 to 2012, he clinched the Player of the Match Award 62 times.
2. Sanath Jayasuriya: The All-Rounder with 48 Awards
Sanath Jayasuriya, a renowned all-rounder, boasts an international career spanning two decades. In 445 matches between 1989-2011, he secured the award 48 times.
3. Virat Kohli: The Passionate Player with 35 Awards
Virat Kohli’s passion for cricket is evident. In 227 matches from 2008-2019, he achieved the Player of the Match Award 35 times.
4. Shahid Afridi: The Unique Talent with 32 Awards
Shahid Afridi, often called “Boom Boom” for his aggressive style, has a unique place in cricket. In 398 matches from 1996-2015, he won the award 32 times.
5. Jacques Kallis: The All-Rounder with 32 Awards
Jacques Kallis, known for his all-round prowess, has left an indelible mark. In 328 matches from 1996-2014, he won the award 32 times.
6. Ricky Ponting: The Uncompromising Player with 32 Awards
Ricky Ponting, known for his determination, has a stellar record. In 375 matches from 1995-2012, he secured the award 32 times.
7. Sir Viv Richards: The Menacing Batsman with 31 Awards
Sir Viv Richards, known for his theatrical presence, is a cricket legend. In 187 matches from 1975-1991, he achieved the award 31 times.
8. Sourav Ganguly: The Indian Captain with 31 Awards
Sourav Ganguly, one of India’s most successful captains, has a commendable record. In 311 matches from 1992-2007, he won the award 31 times.
9. Kumar Sangakkara: The Wicketkeeper-Batsman with 31 Awards
Kumar Sangakkara, a renowned wicketkeeper-batsman, has a notable record. In 404 matches from 2000-2015, he clinched the award 31 times.
10. Brian Lara: The Graceful Batsman with 30 Awards
Brian Lara, considered one of the greatest batsmen, has a remarkable record. In 299 matches from 1990-2007, he secured the award 30 times.
T20 Cricket: A Showcase of Skill and Strategy
Batters and bowlers alike don’t have the luxury of waiting around. Within this little window, athletes must display their finest abilities to guarantee their team’s victory.
T20 is interesting since it calls for a different set of skills than ODIs or Tests. Teams therefore frequently use player rotations in the T20 format.
However, there are a select few players that have the intrinsic capacity to single-handedly shift the tide of a game.
This piece highlights some of such ground-breaking developments. In this article, we will explore the world of T20 players who have won the most player of the match honours.
Mohammad Rizwan: Pakistan’s Shining Star
In 2021, Mohammad Rizwan emerged as a force to reckon with. Remarkably, he was the sole player to cross the 1000 T20I run mark that year.
As a top-order batter, Rizwan consistently gives his team a solid start. With 69 T20I innings under his belt, he’s amassed 2635 runs, boasting an average of 48.79.
His record includes one century and 23 half-centuries. Impressively, he’s bagged 11 Man of the Match awards in a short span.
Suryakumar Yadav: India’s “Mr. 360”
Drawing parallels with AB de Villiers, Suryakumar Yadav stands out as India’s unique gem. His on-field prowess is nothing short of phenomenal.
Since his debut in March 2021, he’s been unstoppable. In just 46 T20I innings, he’s scored 1675 runs at an impressive average of 46.52.
With a strike rate of 175.76, he’s already clinched 11 Man of the Match awards. Undoubtedly, more accolades await him.
Rohit Sharma: India’s Veteran Prodigy
While T20 cricket often favors the young, some seasoned pros defy this norm. Rohit Sharma stands tall among them.
With four T20I centuries to his name, including a record-equalling fastest century, he’s in a league of his own.
Playing 140 innings, he’s scored 3853 runs at an average of 31.32. His tally includes four centuries, 29 half-centuries, and 13 Man of the Match awards.
Mohammad Nabi: Afghanistan’s Pillar of Strength
Despite being relatively new to cricket, Afghanistan has produced notable T20I talents. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi exemplifies this trend.
His stats speak volumes: 96 T20I innings, 1686 runs, and a strike rate of 140.03. Moreover, he’s taken 84 wickets. Nabi’s invaluable contributions have earned him 13 T20I Man of the Match awards.
Virat Kohli: The Master of All Formats
Few cricketers, past or present, can rival Virat Kohli’s prowess. His mastery spans all formats, making him a consistent match-winner.
Topping our list, Kohli has clinched 15 Man of the Match awards in T20Is. Playing 107 innings, he’s scored 4088 runs with an enviable average of 52.73. His record boasts one century and 37 half-centuries.
The Prestige of Man of the Match Awards in Test Cricket
Cricket cherishes its tradition of bestowing the “Man of the Match” award. This accolade goes to the standout performer, often turning the game’s tide.
Every cricketer aspires to represent their nation in Test cricket. It’s not just a game; it’s a testament to a player’s mettle.
Over the years, some players have risen above the rest. They’ve shown resilience, skill, and an uncanny ability to shine when it mattered most.
This article celebrates those who’ve bagged the most “Man of the Match” awards in Test cricket.
1. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 23 Awards in 166 Tests
Jacques Kallis, the South African all-rounder, was a force to reckon with. With bat or ball, he was the Proteas’ savior.
His batting displayed sheer determination, while his bowling often clinched vital wickets. Kallis clinched 23 awards in 166 Tests.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 19 Awards in 133 Tests
Known as the ‘smiling assassin’, Muralitharan spun webs around batsmen. His spin bowling was a spectacle, often making top batsmen falter. He secured 19 awards in 133 Tests.
3. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 17 Awards in 104 Tests
Wasim Akram, the “Sultan of Swing”, had a knack for reverse swing. His pace and seam movement were game-changers. Akram bagged 17 awards in 104 Tests.
4. Shane Warne (Australia) – 17 Awards in 145 Tests
Shane Warne, the legendary spinner, had batsmen dancing to his tunes. His leg spin and googlies were a class apart. Warne earned 17 awards in 145 Tests.
5. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 16 Awards in 134 Tests
Sangakkara, with his impeccable timing and placement, was Sri Lanka’s backbone. His partnerships, especially with Jayawardene, were iconic. He won 16 awards in 134 Tests.
6. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 16 Awards in 168 Tests
Ricky Ponting’s aggressive style and sharp tactics made him a standout. His stroke play was a treat to watch. Ponting secured 16 awards in 168 Tests.
7. Curtly Ambrose (West Indies) – 14 Awards in 98 Tests
Ambrose, with his towering presence, could dismantle any batting lineup. His pace and bounce were unmatched. Ambrose clinched 14 awards in 98 Tests.
8. Steve Waugh (Australia) – 14 Awards in 168 Tests
Steve Waugh was the epitome of mental toughness. His shot selection and adaptability were commendable. Waugh bagged 14 awards in 168 Tests.
9. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 14 Awards in 200 Tests
Sachin, the ‘Master Blaster’, was India’s pride. His adaptability and partnerships were crucial for India. Tendulkar secured 14 awards in 200 Tests.
10. Joe Root (England) – 13 Awards in 127 Tests
Joe Root’s technique and defense were impeccable. He was England’s modern-day hero, winning 13 awards in 127 Tests.
In Conclusion
The “Player of the Match” award is more than just a title. It’s a testament to a player’s impact on the game.
These top cricketers, with their most player of the match awards, have etched their names in cricketing history. Their performances inspire budding cricketers and remind us of the game’s beauty.
It is quite remarkable to go through the history of cricket and see all the players who have won the most player of the match accolades.
The significance of these awards goes beyond mere individual excellence; they honor game-changing moments that leave an indelible impression on fans around the globe.
We are reminded of the sport’s beauty and the impact these cricketing greats have had as we honor them.
