# Top 5 Cricketers With the Most Player of the Match Awards in ODI History

> Sachin Tendulkar leads the all-time ODI Player of the Match tally with 62 awards, followed by Sanath Jayasuriya, Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-09-22 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/vanade-kriketa-men-kina-diggajon-ne-jite-sabase-jyada-player-of-the-match-puraskara-dekhie-shirsha-5-namon-ki-puri-pheharista-36211 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** ODI Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Sanath Jayasuriya, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, Player of the Match

In the extensive archives of one-day international cricket, matches are never decided solely by numbers on a scorecard, but rather by defining moments where an individual player alters the entire direction of a contest. Whenever a cricketer emerges as the primary architect of their team's victory, they are honoured with the Player of the Match accolade. Across the history of the 50-over format, an elite group of five legends has dominated this individual honour through sustained excellence and match-winning contributions. Here is an in-depth breakdown of the top five cricketers who have collected the highest number of Player of the Match trophies in ODIs.

## Sachin Tendulkar Holds the All-Time Milestone
Holding the pinnacle of this historic ranking is Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar. His international journey began in 1989 and spanned until 2012, marking more than 23 years of dominance at the highest level of the sport. During this marathon tenure, Tendulkar featured in a record 463 one-day international matches for India. Recognized universally for his supreme technical command and serene focus at the crease, he claimed the Player of the Match award on 62 separate occasions across those 463 appearances.

This tally illustrates that Tendulkar was not merely accumulating runs for personal milestones, but consistently forging match-winning performances. During the 1990s, when the burden of India's batting lineup rested almost exclusively on his shoulders, Tendulkar single-handedly steered dozens of tight contests in India's favour. Gathering 62 match awards stands as a towering statistical summit, one that remains immensely difficult for any contemporary cricketer to rival.

## Sanath Jayasuriya Stands Second With Revolutionary Hitting
Occupying the second position on this list is Sri Lankan left-handed powerhouse Sanath Jayasuriya. Representing Sri Lanka and the Asia XI between 1989 and 2011, Jayasuriya participated in 445 one-day internationals. He famously revolutionized the concept of opening batting in limited-overs cricket, utilizing the initial 15 overs of fielding restrictions to dismantle bowling attacks right from the opening hour, effectively taking contests away from opposing squads early on.

Across his career, Jayasuriya secured 48 Player of the Match awards in 445 outings. His match-winning influence was not limited to his destructive blade; his disciplined and effective left-arm spin bowling frequently produced crucial breakthroughs, dismantling established partnerships. This balanced all-round capability alongside his aggressive strokeplay enabled him to claim the best player honours on 48 occasions.

## Virat Kohli Boasts an Exceptional Match-to-Award Ratio
Holding the third spot in this legendary lineup is modern Indian batting giant Virat Kohli. Having launched his international career in 2008, Kohli accumulated 45 Player of the Match awards across 314 ODIs through 2026. Kohli's signature strength lies in his masterclass pursuit of targets, finishing games under immense pressure with unmatched calculation and composure.

Reaching 45 awards in just 314 matches gives Kohli an extraordinary award-to-match frequency compared to the totals of Tendulkar and Jayasuriya. While Sachin played 463 matches and Jayasuriya featured in 445, Kohli's tally came from significantly fewer outings. The swift tempo and unwavering consistency with which he has produced runs illustrate his standing as the quintessential modern match-winner in the 50-over arena.

## Jacques Kallis personified Complete All-Round Excellence
Representing South Africa, the Africa XI, and the ICC, Jacques Kallis is celebrated as one of the most complete and impactful all-rounders in cricket history. Spanning the period from 1996 to 2014, Kallis took part in 328 one-day internationals and gathered 32 Player of the Match trophies. His contributions provided his team with dual security and decisive flexibility.

Batting in the upper order, Kallis anchored the innings with solid defensive technique and purposeful stroke-making. Simultaneously, operating as a genuine medium-fast bowler, he regularly dismissed top-order opposition batters. Whenever South Africa encountered adversity, Kallis shifted the balance of power with either his resolute batting or probing bowling spells, earning him 32 match awards over his international tenure.

## Ricky Ponting Anchored Australia's Dominant Era
Level with Jacques Kallis at 32 Player of the Match awards is Australia's storied captain Ricky Ponting. Appearing in 375 ODIs for Australia and the ICC between 1995 and 2012, Ponting embodied the era of undisputed Australian dominance across world cricket. Slotting in at number three, his aggressive intent and rare capacity to thrive under the responsibilities of captaincy set him apart from his peers.

Ponting delivered numerous decisive knocks on cricket's grandest stages, including consecutive World Cup campaigns. Being adjudged the most valuable player in 32 of his 375 games underlines the immense role his batting played in propelling Australia to historic global triumphs during their golden era.

## What this means for you
For cricket enthusiasts and sports followers, this historical breakdown highlights the definitive impact of the greatest match-winners in one-day cricket.

- **For cricket enthusiasts:** These records demonstrate that decisive game-turning knocks hold far greater weight than mere run aggregates. It allows fans to evaluate how individual masterclasses directly translated into victories across different eras.
- **Regarding modern records:** Virat Kohli stands out as the only contemporary player nearing Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 62 awards. With 45 honours in 314 appearances, his exceptional conversion rate emphasizes his unique ability to finish chases under pressure.
- **Importance of all-rounders:** The tallies of Jayasuriya and Kallis show how dual contributions with bat and ball yield frequent match awards. This reinforces the enduring value of multi-dimensional skill sets in limited-overs formats.
- **Historical evaluation:** This statistical benchmark equips analysts and followers with clear criteria to assess greatness beyond longevity. It clarifies which batters and captains consistently produced decisive moments in high-stakes matches.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards in ODI cricket?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the world record, having won the Player of the Match award 62 times across 463 one-day internationals.

### 2. Which player holds the second spot on this all-time list?
Sri Lanka's former opening batter Sanath Jayasuriya occupies second place with 48 awards in 445 matches.

### 3. How many Player of the Match honours has Virat Kohli collected in ODIs?
Through 2026, Virat Kohli has won 45 Player of the Match awards in 314 one-day international appearances.

### 4. How many Player of the Match awards did Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting win?
Both players earned 32 awards each, with Jacques Kallis doing so in 328 matches and Ricky Ponting in 375 matches.

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