The race for the most Player of the Match (POTM) awards in international cricket has reached a fascinating phase, with talismanic India batter Virat Kohli
steadily closing in on a record long dominated by his idol and cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar.
While Tendulkar continues to sit comfortably at the summit with an unmatched legacy built over two decades, Kohli's relentless consistency and match-winning brilliance have reignited conversations around one of cricket's most prestigious individual milestones. With every decisive knock, the gap narrows, but the standard set by Tendulkar remains the ultimate benchmark.
Sachin Tendulkar: The Unmatched Benchmark
Widely revered as the "God of Cricket," Tendulkar finished his international career with a staggering 76 Player of the Match awards. The bulk of these came in ODI cricket (62), underlining his extraordinary influence in the format, while 14 awards in Tests further reflected his longevity and adaptability. Despite the evolution of cricket across eras and formats, Tendulkar's record remains the benchmark that modern greats continue to chase.
Virat Kohli Closing In
Second on the all-time list is Virat Kohli, the only active player inside the top 10. Kohli recently strengthened his case as one of the greatest batters of all time by claiming his 71st Player of the Match award on January 11, 2026, following a match-winning 93 off 91 balls in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.
Kohli's POTM tally reflects his dominance across formats: 45 in ODIs, 16 in T20Is, and 10 in Tests. With several years of cricket potentially still ahead of him, Kohli is the only realistic contender to challenge Tendulkar's all-time record.
The Legends That Complete the Elite List
Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya sits third with 58 awards, most of them earned in ODIs (48), where his aggressive all-round performances revolutionised opening batting.
Close behind is South Africa's iconic all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who collected 57 Player of the Match awards. Kallis also holds the distinction of winning the most POTM awards in Test cricket (23), highlighting his unparalleled balance of batting, bowling and fielding.
Rounding out the top five is another Sri Lankan maestro, Kumar Sangakkara, with 50 awards. Renowned for his elegance and reliability, Sangakkara consistently delivered match-winning performances across formats throughout his illustrious career.
Records by Format
Across formats, the POTM landscape reflects both longevity and adaptability. Kallis dominates Tests, Tendulkar reigns supreme in ODIs, while in T20Is, players such as Virandeep Singh for Associate nations and stars like Sikandar Raza, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kohli among Full Member nations have made their mark.
Even as cricket continues to evolve, the Player of the Match record remains a powerful indicator of individual impact, and for now, Sachin Tendulkar's legacy at the top remains untouched.
Top 5 Players: Most Player of the Match Awards (All Formats)
Data updated as of January 12, 2026
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Awards | Tests | ODIs | T20Is |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 76 | 14 | 62 | 0 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli (Active) | India | 71 | 10 | 45 | 16 |
| 3 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 58 | 4 | 48 | 6 |
| 4 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 57 | 23 | 32 | 2 |
| 5 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 50 | 16 | 31 | 3 |
