Shocking! These 10 Players Hold the Most Man of the Match in International Cricket History

It is the “Man of the Match” (MOM) award in cricket. This outstanding award is presented to players whose performances are a major factor in the result of a match. This award recognises an individual’s exceptional contribution, whether it’s through bowling, batting, or fielding. Over the years, the best cricketers have produced match-winning performances and earned the Most Man of the Match in International Cricket.  

Understanding the Man of the Match Award

MOM awards are given to the player who has performed best in a cricket match, including Test matches, one-day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It is a recognition of a player’s capacity to change the course of the game using outstanding skills and spirit.

Top 10 Players with the Most Man of the Match Awards in International Cricket

Below is a list of the top 10 cricketers with the most man of the match in international cricket in all formats:

RankPlayer NameCountryMatches PlayedMan of the Match AwardsTestsODIsT20Is
1Sachin TendulkarIndia6647614620
2Virat KohliIndia55069104316
3Sanath JayasuriyaSri Lanka586584486
4Jacques KallisSouth Africa5195723322
5Kumar SangakkaraSri Lanka5945016313
6Ricky PontingAustralia5604916321
7Shakib Al HasanBangladesh4474562712
8Rohit SharmaIndia4994442614
9Shahid AfridiPakistan5244303211
10Brian LaraWest Indies4304212300

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 76 Awards

Most Man of the Match in International
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

The legend Sachin Tendulkar has the most significant number of Most Man of the Match in International with 76 awards in 664 matches. His unbeatable consistency and the ability to play under pressure have increased his status as one of the sport’s most iconic players.

2. Virat Kohli – 69 Awards (Ongoing Career)

Virat Kohli
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Virat Kohli, famous for his bold batting style and superb cricketing skills, has won the MOM award in 69 matches. His talent for chases and match-winning performances makes him an all-time cricketing legend.

3. Sanath Jayasuriya – 58 Awards

Sanath Jayasuriya
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

The athletic All-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya earned 58 MOM Awards over 586 matches. His fast batting, as well as his skillful bowling, made him an important player for Sri Lankan cricket.

4. Jacques Kallis – 57 Awards

Jacques Kallis
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Jacques Kallis, the most well-known player due to his flexibility, secured 57 MOM awards in 519 matches. His abilities with the bat and ball were crucial to many team victories.

5. Kumar Sangakkara – 50 Awards

Kumar Sangakkara
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Kumar Sangakkara is an incredible cricketer from Sri Lanka who achieved 50 MOM awards over 594 matches. His outstanding batting ability, as well as his ability to hit wickets accurately, was a key factor in the majority of Sri Lanka’s victories.

6. Ricky Ponting – 49 Awards

Ricky Ponting
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting earned 49 MOM Awards in his fantastic career. His attractive leadership style and bold batting played a major role in Australia’s success on the cricket field.

7. Shakib Al Hasan – 45 Awards (Ongoing Career)

Shakib Al Hasan
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Bangladesh’s top all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, has been awarded 45 MOMs during 447 matches. His consistently good performances, both with ball and bat, make him the core of Bangladesh’s success in cricket.

8. Rohit Sharma – 44 Awards (Ongoing Career)

Rohit Sharma
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Rohit Sharma, well-known for his classy batting and record-breaking double-century in the ODIs, has been awarded 44 MOM awards in 499 matches. His ability to deliver at crucial times is important for India in all different formats.

9. Shahid Afridi – 43 Awards

Shahid Afridi
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

The fiery All-rounder Shahid Afridi earned 43 MOM awards over 524 matches. His fast batting, as well as his excellent bowling skills, brought joy into many games.

10. Brian Lara – 42 Awards

Brian Lara
Image Source: ESPN Cricinfo

The stylish West Indian batsman Brian Lara was awarded 42 MOM in 430 matches. His capability to play excellent innings earned him the title of winner of matches for the West Indies.

Man of the Series: Recognising Consistency

While the MOM award recognizes outstanding performances during individual games and matches, the “Man of the Series” award acknowledges consistent performance throughout games. Virat Kohli is the leader in this class with the most awards, with 20 Man of the Series awards, followed by legendary cricketers such as Tendulkar and Kallis, each with 15 awards.

Most Man of the Match in IPL

Within the Indian Premier League (IPL), AB de Villiers is the only player to receive the highest number of Player of the Match awards. He has won 25 awards. His performances in the middle of the T20 game have earned the public’s and players’ respect.

Player of the Match vs. Man of the Tournament

The “Player of the Match” honours outstanding performances during individual matches, while the “Man of the Tournament” and “Man of the Tournament” titles are awarded to players who have had the greatest impact on an entire tournament or series. These honours have been granted to many cricketers, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Conclusion

Players listed above have collected multiple MOM awards and consistently performed match-winning performances, cementing their status as legendary players in international cricket. Their contributions have been key to the sport’s growth, promoting future generations to achieve greatness. Stay ahead with the latest cricket updates and in-depth insights! Visit our website, Spin and Swing.

FAQs

Who has won the most Man of the Match awards in international cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Man of the Match awards in international cricket, with 76 awards across 664 matches.

How many Man of the Match awards has Virat Kohli won?

As of now, Virat Kohli has won 69 Man of the Match awards in international cricket across all formats.

Who has the most Man of the Match awards in IPL?

As of March 27, 2025, AB de Villiers holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with a total of 25 awards.

How many Man of the Match awards has Rohit Sharma won?

Rohit Sharma has secured 44 Man of the Match awards in international cricket, including 26 in ODIs, 14 in T20Is, and 4 in Tests.

Which cricketer has the most Man of the Match awards in T20Is?

The record for the most Player of the Match awards in T20 International (T20I) cricket is held by Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe, with 17 awards.

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