Most Player of the Match Awards in ODIs

When ODI cricket came into existence, it changed the dynamics of the sport. It retained certain elements of the longest format of the game but carved a niche for itself with its own set of regulations. Over the years, several cricketers have produced exemplary and consistent performances in ODI cricket. In this article, we take a look at the three cricketers who have won the most number of Player of the Match awards in the format.

3) Virat Kohli – 41

Virat Kohli is arguably the best ODI cricketer of all time. He has averaged over 50 in all three formats of the game at certain stages of his career. However, his numbers in ODI cricket are phenomenal. In 292 ODIs, he has won 41 Player of the Match awards. He is on top of the list of most centuries scored by a cricketer in the format. The Delhi batter has reached the magical three-figure mark on 50 occasions. Kohli has amassed 13,848 runs at an average of 58.68 and a strike rate of 93.59 in the format.

2) Sanath Jayasuriya – 48

Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the finest cricketers produced by Sri Lanka. A flamboyant opening batter and a useful left-arm spinner, Jayasuriya won his team several matches with his all-round exploits. In 445 ODIs, the 54-year-old won 38 Player of the Match awards. He scored 13,430 runs at an average of 32.13 and a strike rate of 91.22. The Matara-born also bagged 323 wickets at 36.75.

1) Sachin Tendulkar – 62

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar has played more ODIs and Tests than any other cricketer in the world. He has also scored the most number of runs in both formats. The Mumbai batter scored 18,426 runs in ODI cricket after playing 463 matches at an average of 44.83 and a strike rate of 86.24. He won the Player of the Match award on a whopping 62 occasions. Tendulkar was also rather unnoticeably more than a handy bowler as he bagged 154 wickets in his ODI career at 44.48.