The Player of the Match award shows who made the biggest difference on the day. In ODIs, one name is far ahead, and an active player is closing in on second place. Here are the 10 players with the most ODI Player of the Match awards, based on 2026 tallies. Virat Kohli is still playing, so his total can change.
- Sachin Tendulkar (India), 62. He won the award in 463 matches between 1989 and 2012, a record. Counting all formats, he has 76.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), 48. The explosive opener won 48 in 445 ODIs from 1989 to 2011, and also holds the record, together with Ricky Ponting, for the most awards as captain.
- Virat Kohli (India), 45. The active leader has won 45 in about 309 to 314 matches, and his most recent one in the source I found came on January 11, 2026, for a 93 against New Zealand.
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa), 32. The all-rounder won 32 in 328 ODIs.
- Ricky Ponting (Australia), 32. He won 32 in 375 ODIs between 1995 and 2012.
- Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), 32. The all-rounder won 32 across 398 matches.
- Vivian Richards (West Indies), 31. He earned 31 awards in only 187 ODIs, a very high rate.
- Sourav Ganguly (India), 31. He won 31 in 311 matches from 1992 to 2007.
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), 31. The wicketkeeper-batter won 31 in 404 ODIs.
- Brian Lara (West Indies), 30. He won 30 in 299 matches. Aravinda de Silva also has 30, from 308 matches.
Tendulkar’s lead of 14 over Jayasuriya is bigger than the gap between any two other names on the list. For other batting records, see our look at the batters with the most international centuries.
Sources: Wikipedia, InsideSport, IPL.com, Cricket Bureau.