Even though Cricket is a team sport but a lot of times, individual performances decide the result of a match. Over the years we have seen some extraordinary matches in the group stages as well as in the knockout stages. Whether it was Joginder Sharma’s match winning ball against Pakistan in 2007 Finals or Carlos Brathwaite’s triumphant four sixes in a row in 2016, every edition of ICC T20 world cup promises to deliver more than just excitement.
In this article, Sportzcraazy will be shedding light on the players with most “Man of the match” awards starting from 2007-2021.
- Mahela Jayawardene – The former Sri-Lankan captain also has the most number of runs in the history of ICC T20 world cups with 1016 runs to his name. When he first burst on to the scene, Jayawardene was reputed as a great technician and a perfect test Batsman. His ability to find the gaps and subtle feet movement carved out a niche for himself in the longer formats of Cricket. However, since T20 format’s inception, Mahela Jayawardene was quick to evolve and adapt to the criteria of the shortest format. The Former T20 world cup winner is the first player to be featured in this list. In 31 ICC T20 World cup matches, Jayawardene won 5 Man of the match awards and scored all his runs with an average of 39.8
- Chris Gayle – This is not for the first time that the Universe Boss is being included in a list of records in ICC T20 world cup history. His batting template is apt for the younger generations to come as his fearless and powerful hitting has been a nightmare for a lot of bowlers in front of him. He was specifically known for his immense and enigmatic strength that helped him send the ball right into the stands with ease that too for the most number of times in the entirety of ICC T20 world cup. Chris Gayle has been able to earn five Man of the Match accolades in 33 T20 World Cup games, has the second-most runs with 965 and has cleared the fence 63 times.
- Shane Watson – Australian great and one the greatest All-Rounders of all time Shane Watson is the third player to be a part of this list. He was way ahead and way different than any other All-rounder during his peak days. Watson could open as well as finish innings with the Bat and always provided an extra edge to his team. With the Ball too, the former cricketer could provide the exact same efficiency as his batting. Despite winning 2 50 over World cups, Watson couldn’t win the T20 world cup despite reaching the finals in 2010. However, in 22 T20 world cup innings, Watto scored 537 runs, picked up 22 wickets and received the Man of the match award 5 times.
- Virat Kolhi – The Modern day great, Virat Kohli finds himself 4th in this list. When Kohli was on his absolute best, there was no bowler in the world that could get away cheaply in front of the Indian Batsman. Because of his ability to win games on his own, Kohli was India’s main player from 2014 to 2019 to be exact. Hailed as one of the best in the world, the 33-year-old Batsman has won two consecutive ICC T20 World cup Man of the Series awards in 2014 and 2016. He got very close to winning the 2014 T20 World cup but eventually suffered defeat against Sri-Lanka in the Final. In 19 T20 World cup innings, Kohli won 5 Man of the match awards, scored 845 runs with an unreal average of 76.82.
- AB De Villiers – 360 degree and former cricketing great AB De Villiers was perhaps the most creative Batsman to ever play the game of Cricket. His range of non-textbook strokes and reliability in the middle was second to none. If there won’t be another Sachin Tendulkar then there cannot be another AB De Villiers as well. It is very tough to believe that De Villiers never won a trophy with South Africa given his ability to win matches single handedly. ABD will also be remembered for his stint with Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. He retired with the highest death over strike rate of 222.91 and he is the 6th highest run getter in IPL history. In ICC T20 world cups, De Villiers played 29 innings scored 717 runs on the way and collected 4 Man of the Match awards.
Also Read:- Top 5 highest Partnership by runs in the history of ICC T20 World cup
