Player of the Match in Cricket Explained
How Player of the Match is decided in cricket, what criteria are used, and some famous examples of memorable match-winning performances.
What Is Player of the Match?
Player of the Match (formerly Man of the Match) is the award given to the individual player judged to have made the most decisive contribution to the match result. In international cricket, the award is decided by a panel of former players acting as match adjudicators. In franchise cricket such as the IPL, the award is decided by similar panels or broadcasters. The award carries no points in the ICC rankings but contributes to career statistics and public reputation.
Criteria for Winning the Award
- Match-winning performance — the player whose contribution most directly caused the result
- Outstanding statistics — a century, five-wicket haul, or other exceptional statistical contribution
- Contribution under pressure — performing in a crisis often carries more weight than easy runs
- Impact on a close match — in a tightly contested match, the differentiating performance is valued most
- All-round contribution — 50 runs and 3 wickets can outweigh 90 runs or 4 wickets from a specialist
Notable Player of the Match Records
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most Player of the Match awards in ODI cricket with 62. In Tests, the award is newer and less consistently tracked, but Muttiah Muralitharan's 800-wicket Test career included dozens of match-defining performances. Rohit Sharma has won the T20I Player of the Match award more frequently than any other player in the format's history, reflecting his consistent impact in the powerplay and with big innings.
Frequently asked questions
Can a player from the losing team win Player of the Match?
Yes. If a player from the losing side produced an objectively superior individual performance — a bowler taking 7 wickets while the team still lost, for example — they can win the award. This is relatively rare but does occur, particularly in ODIs where a century for the chasing side in a losing effort might still be the match's standout performance.
How is Player of the Series different from Player of the Match?
Player of the Series is awarded at the conclusion of a multi-match series for the consistent best performer across all matches. It is harder to win because it requires sustained excellence rather than one exceptional performance.