AB de Villiers holds the record for the most Man of the Match awards in IPL history with 25 POTM titles to his name.
The Player of the Match award in IPL recognises the standout performer of each game. Since 2008, some of cricket’s biggest names have collected this honour repeatedly, turning match-winning performances into a habit.
This listicle covers the top players with the most Man of the Match awards in IPL, complete with stats, teams, and key moments. Whether you want a quick glance at the table or a detailed breakdown, everything is here.
Players With Most Man of the Match Awards In IPL
Here is the complete list of IPL Man of the Match record holders, updated after the conclusion of IPL 2025.
| Rank | Player | Teams | Matches | Runs | Wickets | Avg | MOTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AB de Villiers | DD, RCB | 184 | 5,162 | 0 | 39.71 | 25 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | KKR, RCB, KXIP | 142 | 4,965 | 18 | 39.72 | 22 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | DC, MI | 272 | 7,046 | 15 | 29.73 | 21 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 267 | 8,661 | 4 | 39.55 | 19 |
| 5 | David Warner | DD, SRH | 184 | 6,565 | 0 | 40.52 | 18 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | CSK, RPS | 278 | 5,439 | 0 | 38.30 | 18 |
| 7 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 189 | 1,780 | 192 | 25.64* | 17 |
| 8 | Shane Watson | RR, RCB, CSK | 145 | 3,874 | 92 | 30.99 | 16 |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja | RR, KTK, CSK | 254 | 3,260 | 170 | 27.86 | 16 |
| 8 | Yusuf Pathan | RR, KKR, SRH | 174 | 3,204 | 42 | 29.13 | 16 |
| 8 | Andre Russell | DD, KKR | 140 | 2,651 | 123 | 28.20 | 16 |
*Sunil Narine’s average listed is his bowling average, given his primary role as a bowler.
Detailed Breakdown of Each Player’s Record
Here is Brief Info of Each Players Record:
1. AB de Villiers – 25 Man of the Match Awards
AB de Villiers sits at the top with a record-breaking 25 Player of the Match awards in IPL. No other player in the tournament’s history has matched that number.
Known globally as Mr. 360, de Villiers could hit bowlers anywhere in the ground. He scored 5,162 runs in 184 matches at a strike rate of 151.68, finishing with 3 centuries and 40 fifties.
Out of his 25 awards, a staggering 23 came while playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The remaining 2 were earned during his initial stint with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
His best IPL season came in 2016, where he piled up 687 runs at a strike rate of 168.79. That year also featured his iconic 229-run partnership with Virat Kohli against Gujarat Lions.
De Villiers retired from the IPL after the 2021 season. Still, years later, nobody has overtaken his MOTM tally.
2. Chris Gayle – 22 Man of the Match Awards
The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, is second on the list with 22 MOTM awards. When Gayle got going, the opposition had very little to do except watch.
Gayle scored 4,965 runs in 142 IPL matches at a strike rate of 148.96. He holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history, an unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors in 2013.
He smashed a record 6 centuries and 31 half-centuries across his IPL career. Most of his match-winning performances came during his time with RCB, though he also played for KKR and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings).
Gayle’s ability to clear boundaries with ease made him one of the most feared T20 batsmen ever. His 175* remains untouched after 18 seasons of the IPL.
3. Rohit Sharma – 21 Man of the Match Awards
Rohit Sharma leads all Indian players with 21 Man of the Match awards in IPL history. He entered IPL 2025 with 19, won his landmark 20th MOTM against CSK on April 20, 2025, and added a 21st later in the season.
With 7,046 runs in 272 matches, Rohit is among the top run-scorers in IPL history. More importantly, he captained Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles, the most by any franchise.
Rohit’s strength lies in timing rather than raw power. His ability to accelerate after a measured start has been the foundation of many successful MI chases.
He began his IPL career with Deccan Chargers before Mumbai Indians signed him ahead of the 2011 season. That move turned out to be one of the smartest transactions in IPL auction history.
4. Virat Kohli – 19 Man of the Match Awards
Virat Kohli, the IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer, has 19 Player of the Match awards. Every single one of them has come while wearing the RCB jersey.
With 8,661 runs in 267 matches at an average of 39.55, Kohli has been the face of RCB since 2008. He is the only player in IPL history to have played for just one franchise across all seasons.
His monster 2016 season produced 973 runs, a single-season record that still stands. He also collected the Orange Cap and the Most Valuable Player award that year.
Kohli’s consistency has been remarkable. While he went years without an IPL title, RCB’s maiden IPL win in 2025 under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy finally gave the franchise its first trophy, with Kohli contributing 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75.
5. David Warner – 18 Man of the Match Awards
Australian southpaw David Warner has collected 18 MOTM awards across his IPL career, making him joint fifth-highest on this list alongside MS Dhoni.
Warner scored 6,565 runs in 184 matches at an impressive average of 40.52 and a strike rate of 139.77. His best season was in 2016, when he led Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title, scoring 848 runs.
An aggressive opener who could dominate any bowling attack, Warner won the Orange Cap three times (2015, 2017, 2019). His left-handed batting was a nightmare for most IPL bowlers, especially in the powerplay.
Warner also had a brief stint with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) early in his IPL career before becoming synonymous with the SRH brand.
6. MS Dhoni – 18 Man of the Match Awards
MS Dhoni shares the fifth position with David Warner at 18 Player of the Match awards. For a player who often batted at No. 5 or below, that tally speaks volumes about his finishing ability.
With 5,439 runs in 278 matches, Dhoni holds the record for the most IPL matches played by any cricketer. He captained Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, making CSK one of the most dominant franchises in the league.
In IPL 2025, Dhoni won his 18th MOTM against Lucknow Super Giants with an unbeaten 26 off just 11 balls. At 43 years and 280 days, he also became the oldest player to win a MOTM award in IPL history.
Captain Cool has been the heartbeat of CSK from day one. His calm decision-making under pressure remains unmatched in T20 cricket.
7. Sunil Narine – 17 Man of the Match Awards
Sunil Narine is the highest-ranked pure bowler on this list with 17 MOTM awards. All of them came while representing Kolkata Knight Riders.
With 192 wickets in 189 matches at an economy rate under 7, Narine has been KKR’s most valuable asset for over a decade. His mystery spin has troubled the best batsmen in the world.
What makes Narine’s case even more interesting is his evolution into a pinch-hitting opener. He scored 1,780 runs at a strike rate that often exceeded 160, giving KKR explosive starts in the powerplay.
His dual contribution with both bat and ball makes him one of the most unique match-winners in IPL history. Few players have won MOTM awards for both batting and bowling performances as often as Narine.
8. Shane Watson – 16 Man of the Match Awards
Shane Watson, the Australian all-rounder, picked up 16 MOTM awards during his IPL career. He could single-handedly win games with either bat or ball, and sometimes both.
Watson scored 3,874 runs and took 92 wickets in 145 matches. His most memorable IPL moment came in the 2018 IPL Final, where he hammered an unbeaten century to win CSK the title against SRH.
He played for three franchises: Rajasthan Royals (where he won the first-ever IPL title in 2008), RCB, and Chennai Super Kings. His explosive batting at the top, combined with useful medium-pace bowling, made him a captain’s dream.
Watson retired from the IPL after the 2020 season. That bloodied-knee innings in the 2019 IPL Final is still one of the most talked-about performances in tournament history.
9. Ravindra Jadeja – 16 Man of the Match Awards
Ravindra Jadeja, India’s premier all-rounder, has earned 16 Player of the Match awards across his IPL career. That tally puts him in a four-way tie with Watson, Yusuf Pathan, and Andre Russell.
With 3,260 runs and 170 wickets in 254 matches, Jadeja’s numbers speak to his longevity and consistency. He has been a match-winner with bat, ball, and in the field for well over a decade.
Jadeja spent the bulk of his IPL career at Chennai Super Kings, winning three titles (2018, 2021, 2023). His heroics in the 2023 IPL Final, where he hit a four off the last ball to clinch the title, remain one of the most iconic moments in IPL history.
Ahead of IPL 2026, Jadeja was traded to Rajasthan Royals, the franchise where his IPL journey began back in 2008. His fielding alone is worth a MOTM award on some days.
10. Yusuf Pathan – 16 Man of the Match Awards
Yusuf Pathan completes the four-way tie at 16 MOTM awards. The hard-hitting Indian all-rounder was one of the most destructive batsmen of the early IPL era.
He scored 3,204 runs and claimed 42 wickets in 174 matches. Pathan played for Rajasthan Royals, KKR, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Pathan was a key member of the Rajasthan Royals’ IPL-winning squad in 2008 and helped KKR lift the trophy in 2012 and 2014. His ability to clear the ropes with minimal effort was legendary.
His part-time off-spin also chipped in with crucial wickets. Pathan’s MOTM tally of 16 is a testament to his all-round impact during his peak years.
11. Andre Russell – 16 Man of the Match Awards
Andre Russell, KKR’s Jamaican powerhouse, also sits at 16 MOTM awards. Russell is arguably the most explosive all-rounder the IPL has ever seen.
In 140 matches, Russell has scored 2,651 runs at a strike rate exceeding 170 and taken 123 wickets. That combination makes him one of the deadliest finishers in T20 cricket.
His 2019 IPL season was sensational. Russell bludgeoned 510 runs at a strike rate of 204.81 and picked up 11 wickets. He nearly carried KKR into the playoffs that year on sheer individual brilliance.
Russell’s ability to clear massive sixes under pressure, combined with quick bowling that regularly hits 140+ kmph, makes him a genuine two-in-one match-winner.
Key Takeaways From the MOTM Records
Batsmen Dominate the List
Eight out of ten players on this list are primarily batsmen. Sunil Narine is the only specialist bowler in the top 10. This reflects how batting performances tend to catch the eye of match referees more often.
All-Rounders Have a Clear Edge
Players who can contribute with both bat and ball, like Watson, Narine, Jadeja, Russell, and Yusuf Pathan, have multiple avenues to win games. This dual-threat nature increases their chances of earning the award.
Franchise Loyalty Pays Off
Virat Kohli (RCB), Sunil Narine (KKR), and MS Dhoni (CSK) have each spent nearly their entire IPL careers with a single franchise. Extended stints with one team give players more opportunities and stable roles, which translates into more match-winning performances.
Overseas Stars Lead the Way
The top two spots belong to overseas players: AB de Villiers (South Africa) and Chris Gayle (West Indies). Their ability to produce game-changing performances in foreign conditions speaks to their talent and adaptability.
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Conclusion: ABD Leads The Table With Most 25 Man of the Match Awards in IPL
AB de Villiers’ record of 25 Man of the Match awards in IPL remains the gold standard. With de Villiers and Gayle both retired, Rohit Sharma (21) has the best shot at catching up among active players.
Virat Kohli (19) and David Warner (18) are also in the mix. However, closing a gap of 4–6 awards against a retired player’s total requires sustained match-winning form across multiple seasons.
As IPL 2026 approaches, this list could see some movement. Keep an eye on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they chase Mr. 360’s seemingly untouchable record.
