In every IPL season, players showcase exceptional skills to secure crucial victories for their teams. The player with the most impactful performance in each match is honored with the Player of the Match award.
These players play a pivotal role in their team’s success, often turning the tide in critical moments. However, winning the award isn’t solely about scoring the most runs or taking the most wickets. It also depends on the context—how a player rises to the occasion in pressure situations to lead their team to victory. Their contributions go beyond statistics, reflecting the significance of their performance in the game’s outcome.
Players who have won most Player of the Match awards in the IPL:
David Warner – 18
David Warner has won the Player of the Match award 18 times and is fifth-most on this list. He led Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the title in the 2016 season, where he scored 848 runs. In total, Warner has made 6565 runs at a strike rate of 139.77 and an average of 40.52. He also holds the record for scoring the most fifties (62) in tournament history.
| Player | Team | Player of the Match Awards | Runs | Strike Rate | Average | Most Fifties | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 18 | 6565 | 139.77 | 40.52 | 62 | Led SRH to 2016 IPL title with 848 runs |
Virat Kohli – 18
The RCB superstar is still going strong in the IPL ever since the inaugural season way back in 2008. With 8004 runs under his belt, Kohli shows no signs of stopping. When it comes to winning Player of the Match awards, Kohli ranks joint fourth with David Warner with 18. Kohli has often been fighting a solo battle at RCB for years as other players come and go without winning a trophy at the Bengaluru-based franchise. If Kohli continues to bat similarly, he certainly has the chance to top this chart. Alongside 18 Player of the Match award, Kohli also has 1 Most Valuable Player of the Season award which puts him ahead of Warner in this list.
| Statistic | Virat Kohli |
|---|---|
| IPL Debut | 2008 |
| Total Runs Scored | 8004 |
| Player of the Match Awards | 18 (Joint 4th with David Warner) |
| Most Valuable Player Awards | 1 (Ahead of David Warner) |
| Franchise | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) |
| Trophies Won with RCB | 0 |
Rohit Sharma -19
Rohit Sharma, with 19 Player of the Match awards, is in the first position among Indian players and third overall. He is arguably the most successful captain in IPL history, with Mumbai Indians winning five titles under him. The impactful innings which Rohit plays can hamper the chances of the opposition to a great extent. The prolific batsman has accumulated 6628 runs in the cash-rich league at an average of 29.72 and strike rate of 1301.14.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player Name | Rohit Sharma |
| Player of the Match Awards | 19 (1st among Indian players, 3rd overall) |
| IPL Titles as Captain | 5 (Mumbai Indians) |
| Total Runs in IPL | 6628 |
| Batting Average | 29.72 |
| Strike Rate | 130.14 |
| Impact on Opposition | Plays impactful innings, hampers opposition chances |
Chris Gayle – 22
The ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle has established himself as the greatest ever T20 cricketer with consistent performances over the years. It is a rarity for a team to lose the match if Gayle scores big for them in a particular innings. The left-hander has won the Player of the Match award 22 times in the league. He has 4965 runs to his name in the IPL at an impressive strike rate of 148.96. He has smashed a record six hundreds and 31 half-centuries in the tournament history so far.
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chris Gayle |
| Nickname | Universe Boss |
| T20 Legacy | Greatest Ever T20 Cricketer |
| Player of the Match Awards | 22 (in IPL) |
| IPL Runs | 4965 |
| Strike Rate (IPL) | 148.96 |
| Hundreds (IPL) | 6 (Record) |
| Fifties (IPL) | 31 |
| Impact | Teams rarely lose when Gayle scores big |
AB de Villiers – 25
Just like MS Dhoni, the former South African batter AB de Villiers also established himself among the prime finishers in T20 cricket. The stylish Proteas has won 25 awards in league history, which is the most by any player. He has amassed 5162 runs in 170 innings with an incredible strike rate of 151.68. The star batter decided to quit all forms of cricket in November 2021.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | AB de Villiers |
| T20 Career | One of the prime finishers in T20 cricket |
| Awards Won | 25 (most by any player in league history) |
| Matches Played | 170 innings |
| Runs Scored | 5,162 |
| Strike Rate | 151.68 |
| Retirement | November 2021 (from all forms of cricket) |