
The Indian Premier League (IPL), the richest T20 cricket league in the world, will be back for its 18th edition on March 22, 2025. Since its inaugural season in 2008, the IPL has recognized outstanding individual performances through various awards such as the Orange Cap for the highest run-scorer, the Purple Cap for the leading wicket-taker, and the Emerging Player Award for young talents. Among such individual awards held in high esteem is the Player of the Match award, given to the standout performer of each game.
This award is presented to the player who makes the most significant impact, whether through batting, bowling, or all-round impact. As of March 2025, AB de Villiers has secured the most Player of the Match awards.
IPL Most Player of the Match Titles
Legendary South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru batsman AB de Villiers holds the record of winning the most "Player of the Match" awards in the history of the Indian Premier League. De Villiers, who represented the Delhi Daredevils and the Royal Challengers Bangalore between 2008-21, bagged 25 Player of the Match awards as of the 2024 IPL season.
Chris Gayle stands at number second on the chart with a total of 22 Player of the Match awards in his 142-match IPL career. Rohit Sharma, with five championships as Mumbai Indians' captain, ranks third with 19 awards, followed by Virat Kohli and former Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner both having 18 awards as of the 2024 IPL season. CSK's former skipper, MS Dhoni, is sixth on the list with 17 Player of the Match awards. At number seven, Ravindra Jadeja has won 16 awards while playing for Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Rajasthan Royals.
Yusuf Pathan and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson also hold 16 awards as of the 2024 IPL season. With 15 match awards each, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell occupy the tenth and eleventh positions, respectively. Other prominent names like Kieron Pollard (14), Suresh Raina (14), Jos Buttler (13), and Gautam Gambhir (13) are present further down the list.
Rank | Player | Teams Played For | Match Awards |
1 | AB de Villiers | Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore | 25 |
2 | Chris Gayle | Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore | 22 |
3 | Rohit Sharma | Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians | 19 |
4 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bangalore, Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 18 |
5 | David Warner | Delhi Capitals, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad | 18 |
6 | MS Dhoni | Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Rising Pune Supergiants | 17 |
7 | Ravindra Jadeja | Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rajasthan Royals | 16 |
8 | Yusuf Pathan | Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad | 16 |
9 | Shane Watson | Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 16 |
10 | Sunil Narine | Kolkata Knight Riders | 15 |
11 | Andre Russell | Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders | 15 |
12 | Kieron Pollard | Mumbai Indians | 14 |
13 | Suresh Raina | Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions | 14 |
14 | Jos Buttler | Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals | 13 |
15 | Gautam Gambhir | Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders | 13 |
FAQs on IPL
A. AB de Villiers has earned 25 match awards while playing for the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, topping the list for most man of the match awards in the IPL.
A. No, RCB has not won the IPL title as of the 2024 IPL season.
A. CSK and MI are the two most successful teams in the IPL, winning five titles each.
A. RCB scored the lowest score (49 runs) at Eden Gardens in the 2017 IPL season.