Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Man of the Match (MOM) awards in international cricket, with an incredible 76 across all formats. His unmatched consistency and ability to perform in crucial situations made him a game-changer for India.
Legends like Virat Kohli, known for his chasing masterclasses, and Sanath Jayasuriya, famed for explosive starts, have received numerous such honors over their careers. This award celebrates individual excellence that turns the tide in favor of a team.
This article explores the top cricketers with the most MOM awards in international cricket, across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Top 10 Cricketers With the Most MOM Awards Across Formats
The Man of the Match award is given to the player who makes the most significant impact in a game—through outstanding batting, bowling, or all-round performance. It recognizes match-winning efforts and individual brilliance.
The following table shows the top 10 players with the most Man of the Match (MOM) awards across all formats.
| Player | Country | Matches (Test+ODI=T20I) | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 664 | 76 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 550 | 69 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 586 | 58 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 519 | 57 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 594 | 50 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 560 | 49 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 447 | 45 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 499 | 44 |
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 524 | 43 |
| Brian Lara | West Indies | 430 | 42 |
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Let’s take a look at his overall stats across all formats in his international career:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 200 | 15921 | 53.78 | 248* | 51 | 68 |
| ODI | 463 | 18426 | 44.83 | 200* | 49 | 96 |
| T20I | 1 | 10 | 10.00 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
Sachin Tendulkar, the “Master Blaster,” earned 76 Man of the Match awards across formats, reflecting his consistent match-winning contributions. His ability to perform under pressure and play crucial innings made him a constant threat to opponents.
Tendulkar’s MOM awards highlight his impact in pivotal moments, reinforcing his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest and most reliable performers over a 24-year international career.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 14, ODIs – 62
2. Virat Kohli
International Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 123 | 9230 | 46.85 | 254* | 30 | 31 |
| ODI | 302 | 14181 | 57.88 | 183 | 51 | 74 |
| T20I | 125 | 4188 | 48.69 | 122* | 1 | 38 |
Virat Kohli has won 69 Man of the Match awards through his aggressive yet composed batting. Known for his chasing skills and ability to anchor innings, Kohli has delivered match-winning performances in all formats.
His awards underscore his role as a modern cricketing great who consistently rises to the occasion, inspiring his team and dominating opposition attacks.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 10, ODIs – 43, T20Is – 16
3. Sanath Jayasuriya
International Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 110 | 6973 | 40.07 | 340 | 14 | 31 |
| ODI | 445 | 13430 | 32.36 | 189 | 8 | 68 |
| T20I | 31 | 629 | 23.29 | 88 | 0 | 4 |
Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionized limited-overs cricket with his explosive batting, earning 58 Man of the Match awards. His aggressive starts put pressure on bowling attacks, often setting the tone for his team’s success.
Besides batting, Jayasuriya’s handy left-arm spin and sharp fielding contributed to his all-round impact, making him one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable players.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 23, ODIs – 32, T20Is – 2
4. Jacques Kallis
International Career Stats:
Batting:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 166 | 13289 | 55.37 | 224 | 45 | 58 |
| ODI | 328 | 11579 | 44.36 | 139 | 17 | 86 |
| T20I | 25 | 666 | 35.05 | 73 | 0 | 5 |
Bowling:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 166 | 292 | 32.65 | 6/54 |
| ODI | 328 | 273 | 31.79 | 5/30 |
| T20I | 25 | 12 | 27.75 | 4/15 |
Jacques Kallis, one of the finest all-rounders, collected 57 Man of the Match awards. His consistency with both bat and ball provided South Africa with balance and reliability in all formats.
Kallis’s ability to change games with crucial wickets or valuable runs underlined his immense contribution, making him a key player for over a decade.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 23, ODIs – 32, T20Is – 2
5. Kumar Sangakkara
International Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 134 | 12400 | 57.40 | 319 | 38 | 52 |
| ODI | 404 | 14234 | 41.98 | 169 | 25 | 93 |
| T20I | 56 | 1382 | 31.40 | 78 | 0 | 8 |
Kumar Sangakkara earned 50 Man of the Match awards with his elegant batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills. His calm demeanor and ability to score heavily under pressure were vital for Sri Lanka.
Sangakkara’s contributions extended beyond runs, often guiding the team through challenging situations, reflecting his leadership and match-winning ability.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 16, ODIs – 31, T20Is – 3
6. Ricky Ponting
International Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 168 | 13378 | 51.85 | 257 | 41 | 62 |
| ODI | 375 | 13704 | 42.03 | 164 | 30 | 82 |
| T20I | 17 | 401 | 28.64 | 98* | 0 | 2 |
Ricky Ponting secured 49 Man of the Match awards, showcasing his prowess as one of Australia’s most successful batsmen and captains. Known for his aggressive style, Ponting dominated bowling attacks across formats.
His leadership qualities and clutch performances made him a pivotal figure in Australia’s golden era, consistently delivering match-winning innings.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 16, ODIs – 32, T20Is – 1
7. Shakib Al Hasan
International Career Stats:
Batting:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 71 | 4609 | 37.77 | 217 | 5 | 31 |
| ODI | 247 | 7570 | 37.29 | 134* | 9 | 56 |
| T20I | 129 | 2551 | 23.19 | 84 | 0 | 13 |
Bowling:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 71 | 246 | 31.72 | 7/36 |
| ODI | 247 | 317 | 29.52 | 5/29 |
| T20I | 129 | 149 | 20.91 | 5/20 |
Shakib Al Hasan has won 45 Man of the Match awards through his all-round performances for Bangladesh. His effective left-arm spin and dependable batting have often turned games in Bangladesh’s favor.
Shakib’s ability to contribute consistently with both bat and ball highlights his importance as one of the top all-rounders in modern cricket.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 6, ODIs – 27, T20Is – 12
8. Rohit Sharma
International Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 67 | 4301 | 40.57 | 212 | 12 | 18 |
| ODI | 273 | 11168 | 48.76 | 264 | 32 | 58 |
| T20I | 159 | 4231 | 32.05 | 121* | 5 | 32 |
Rohit Sharma’s 44 Man of the Match awards reflect his destructive batting style, especially in limited-overs cricket. Known for big innings and record-breaking scores, Rohit changes the momentum of games quickly.
His timing and ability to score consistently under pressure make him one of India’s most valuable players across formats.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 4, ODIs – 26, T20Is – 14
9. Shahid Afridi
International Career Stats:
Batting:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 27 | 1716 | 36.51 | 156 | 5 | 8 |
| ODI | 398 | 8064 | 23.57 | 124 | 6 | 39 |
| T20I | 99 | 1416 | 17.92 | 54* | 0 | 4 |
Bowling:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 27 | 48 | 35.60 | 5/52 |
| ODI | 398 | 395 | 34.51 | 7/12 |
| T20I | 99 | 98 | 24.44 | 4/11 |
Shahid Afridi, famous for his aggressive batting and effective leg-spin, earned 43 Man of the Match awards. His explosive style often provided quick runs and vital breakthroughs with the ball.
Afridi’s flair and unpredictability made him a match-winner for Pakistan, thrilling fans with his all-round contributions over many years.
Format-wise MOM Awards: ODIs – 32 , T20Is – 11
10. Brian Lara
International Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 131 | 11953 | 52.88 | 400* | 34 | 48 |
| ODI | 299 | 10405 | 40.48 | 169 | 19 | 63 |
Brian Lara’s 42 Man of the Match awards highlight his exceptional batting talent and ability to play match-defining innings. His elegant stroke play and mental toughness made him a dangerous opponent.
Lara’s performances often came at crucial moments, cementing his status as one of the West Indies’ greatest and most influential cricketers.
Format-wise MOM Awards: Tests – 12 ODIs – 30
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Conclusion: Sachin Tendulkar Holds the Record for Most Man of the Match Awards!
The Man of the Match award highlights a player’s ability to influence a game significantly, showcasing individual brilliance across all formats. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli exemplify how consistent excellence earns recognition and shapes team success.
These top performers have left an indelible mark on international cricket, thrilling fans with match-winning innings, crucial wickets, and all-round heroics. Their awards reflect not just talent, but the ability to rise under pressure.
The quest for impactful performances continues. The legacies of these players inspire the next generation to chase greatness and deliver memorable moments on the world stage.
