In One Day International (ODI) cricket, the Player-of-the-Match (POTM) award is given to the player who has the biggest impact in a match. It may come through a match-winning century, a five-wicket haul, or a brilliant all-round performance.
Winning this award consistently over a long career shows match-winning ability, pressure handling, and consistency. Below is the complete and updated look at the top 10 Most Player-of-the-Match awards in ODIs, followed by a brief explanation of each player’s impact.
Top 10 Players with Most Player-of-the-Match Awards in ODIs
| Rank | Player | Country | ODI Matches | POTM Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 62 |
| 2 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 48 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | 309 | 45 |
| 4 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 328 | 32 |
| 5 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 375 | 32 |
| 6 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 32 |
| 7 | Viv Richards | West Indies | 187 | 31 |
| 8 | Sourav Ganguly | India | 311 | 31 |
| 9 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 404 | 31 |
| 10 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 299 | 30 |
1. Sachin Tendulkar – The Ultimate Match Winner (62 Awards)
Sachin Tendulkar sits comfortably at the top of this list. Across more than two decades, he delivered countless match-winning performances for India. Whether it was chasing big targets or setting up totals, Sachin often stood tall in pressure games, including World Cups.
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2. Sanath Jayasuriya – ODI First Explosive All-Rounder (48 Awards)
Sanath Jayasuriya changed how ODIs were played. His ability to attack early with the bat and then contribute with left-arm spin made him a frequent POTM winner, especially during Sri Lanka’s golden era.
3. Virat Kohli – The Modern ODI Master (45 Awards)
Virat Kohli is the only active player close to the top. Known as the best ODI chaser, Kohli has won Player-of-the-Match awards across conditions and continents. His consistency and big-match temperament explain his rapid rise on this list.
4. Jacques Kallis – Consistency Personified (32 Awards)
Jacques Kallis won matches both with bat and ball. His calm presence and ability to deliver in any situation made him one of the most dependable ODI players ever.
5. Ricky Ponting – Big Match Specialist (32 Awards)
Ponting’s Player-of-the-Match awards often came in high-pressure games, including World Cups and finals. His aggressive batting and leadership played a huge role in Australia’s dominance.
6. Shahid Afridi – Game Changer in Minutes (32 Awards)
Afridi could turn matches in a few overs. Whether it was quick runs or sudden wickets, his unpredictable style often earned him the Player-of-the-Match award in dramatic games.
7. Viv Richards – Ahead of His Time (31 Awards)
Viv Richards dominated ODIs long before modern power-hitting became common. His fearless batting made him a match winner in the early years of ODI cricket.
8. Sourav Ganguly – The Big-Tournament Performer (31 Awards)
Ganguly was known for important knocks in big tournaments. Many of his POTM awards came as an opener, setting strong foundations for India.
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9. Kumar Sangakkara – Elegance with Impact (31 Awards)
Sangakkara combined style with consistency. His Player-of-the-Match awards often came from long, match-defining innings, especially in ICC events.
10. Brian Lara – The Lone Warrior (30 Awards)
Brian Lara often carried West Indies on his shoulders. His ability to score big runs against strong teams earned him frequent POTM awards despite limited team success.
The top 10 Most Player-of-the-Match awards in ODIs list highlights players who didn’t just score runs or take wickets they won matches consistently. From Sachin Tendulkar’s longevity to Virat Kohli’s modern-day dominance, this list reflects true ODI greatness.
