Since the inception of One Day International (ODI) cricket, the game has seen a lot of transformation. The limited-overs format has changed tremendously over the last two to three decades. In the 1970s & 1980s, ODI was a 60-over format but later it was reduced to 50 overs per side. As the game got fast-paced, ODI saw many changes and it became a lot more intriguing.
Over the last 40 years, limited-overs cricket saw the arrival of some class batsmen who will be remembered as the legends of the game. These batsmen have delivered whenever their teams required them to come up with some spectacular performances.
In this piece, we are about to analyse the records of the players who have won the most number of man of the series awards in One Day Internationals. These players have stood up during pressure situations and have given their teams many memorable moments with their brilliance. Let’s take a look.
We take a look at 10 players who’ve won most Man of the Series Awards in ODIs.
Sachin Tendulkar – 15 Man of the Series Awards in 463 matches
The legendary batsman doesn’t need any introduction. The Master Blaster has always stepped up whenever his team required him to. The champion batsman has many records to his name but this particular record shows the class and determination of the veteran batsmen. Tendulkar made batting look easy with his class and temperament.
The right-hander won 15 Man of the Series awards for team India in 463 matches in the 50-over format. He scored 18426 runs in his ODI career.
Tendulkar punched the ball gracefully on the offside and was equally strong on the leg side. Watching him drive through the off side was soothing to every fan’s eyes. Tendulkar showed exemplary footwork on any sort of wicket. Besides, he worked the ball well in the gaps and drove superbly straight down the ground with his classic timing.
Sanath Jayasuriya – 11 Man of the Series Awards in 445 matches
The left-hander Sanath Jayasuriya changed the concept of batting in the 50-over format with his aggressive and attacking style of play. The Sri-Lankan legend would clear the boundary ropes with his powerful hitting abilities and time the ball superbly. Jayasuriya’s exquisite yet elegant drives would split the field easily.
The former captain showed tremendous resolve and batted brilliantly under pressure. Jayasuriya co-ordinated well with the non-striker while running between the wickets. Anything short and the left-hander would cut the ball powerfully or pull the ball if it would be in the middle and leg area.
Jayasuriya won 11 Man of the Series awards in 445 matches. He didn’t hesitate to play the big shots against the spinners. Jayasuriya had this knack of picking wickets with his off-spin. The veteran scored an astounding 13,430 runs in One Day Internationals.
Virat Kohli – nine Man of the Series Awards in 245 games
The Team India skipper Virat Kohli has a very impressive track record when it comes to winning the Man of the Series awards. Kohli has won nine Man of the Series Awards in 245 games. The 31-year-old has shown tremendous resolve and courage while chasing a big total.
The right-hander has shown a fearless approach while batting and has led his team with determination.
Kohli can split the gap wonderfully with his fine cover drives and glorious timing. Kohli is equally strong at his pads. He has already scored 11792 runs till now and is looking good to break many more records.
Shaun Pollock – nine Man of the Series Awards in 303 games
The South-African legend will be remembered as one of the best swing bowlers of all-time. Pollock had this knack of picking crucial wickets during crunch situations. The former Proteas captain swung the ball both ways and looked threatening on seaming wickets.
Pollock was a handy lower-order batsman. He made the batsmen make mistakes with his variations and made adjustments to his bowling as per the conditions. Pollock won nine Man of the Series awards in 303 matches. Pollock outfoxed the batsmen with his clever change of pace.
Chris Gayle – eight Man of the Series Awards in 301 games
The West Indian Chris Gayle smashed the best bowling attacks all around the park with his powerful hitting. The 40-year-old was the mainstay of the West Indies batting for more than a decade in One Day Internationals.
The left-hander dominated the opposition bowlers with his powerful striking abilities as he made batting look easy.
Gayle’s effortless batting amazed fans world over. He could pierce the field with his cracking drives and destructive cuts. Gayle could judge the length of any delivery with his fine hand-eye coordination.
The West Indes veteran won eight Man of the Series awards in 71 series in the limited-overs format. Gayle scored 10480 runs in the ODI leg.
Vivian Richards – seven Man of the Series Awards in 187 matches
“Sir Vivian Richards” was the most destructive yet attractive batsmen during the 1970s & 1980s. During those days ODI was a 60-over format. Keeping in mind that there where very few One Day Internationals being played during that time, it is surprising this legendary batsman won seven Man of the Series awards in 187 matches.
The West Indian was a nightmare for every bowler and hammered the best bowling attacks with his attacking style of play.
Richards has single-handedly won games for his team but he equally adapted as per the conditions which proved quite amazing. Richards was a gifted yet the most attractive batsman of that era.
Anything short on the offside and Richards was quick to cut the ball effortlessly. Richards was equally strong while playing the pull shots but it was his hand-eye co-ordination which enabled him to play his natural attacking game.
The legendary batsman will be remembered as one of the best timers of the cricket ball. Richards scored 6721 runs in his One Day International career.
Hashim Amla – seven Man of the Series Awards in 181 matches
Hashim Amla was a specimen of consistency right throughout his career. The 38-year-old’s retirement was a big loss for South-African cricket. The right-hander has played some superlative innings bailing his team from danger.
Amla was quite strong on the offside where he punched the ball effortlessly with his sublime timing.
The elegant batsman was equally sharp with his wrist work and looked solid on the back foot as well as the front foot. Amla drove the ball gloriously and looked technically strong on bouncy wickets.
Amla won seven Man of the Series awards in 181 matches. He scored 8113 runs in his One Day International career.
Yuvraj Singh – seven Man of the Series Awards in 304 matches
Yuvraj Singh was a champion in true sense. The 38-year-old made a comeback in international cricket after fighting a deadly disease like cancer. Although his form got affected after making a comeback, the 2011 World Cup hero will always remain an inspiration for millions of fans worldwide for his fighting spirit.
Yuvraj was a perfect No. 4 batsman for Team India and always performed under pressure. The left-hander stroked the ball wonderfully with his elegant and graceful drives. He pulled the ball powerfully with great hand-eye coordination.
The southpaw punched the ball well on the back foot as well as the front foot. The left-hander had the ability to change the situation of a game with his determined approach.
He won seven Man of the Series awards in 304 games. Yuvraj picked crucial wickets with his deceptive off-spin bowling. Yuvraj Singh was a match-winner during critical situations. The flamboyant left-hander scored 8701 runs in his 50 over career.
Sourav Ganguly – seven Man of the Series Awards in 311 matches
“The Prince of Kolkata” as he was popularly known during his playing days, was a perfect opening partner for Sachin Tendulkar in limited-overs format when the duo opened together.
Ganguly was simply brilliant with his effortless cover drives and punched the ball wonderfully on the back foot. More than anything else it was the way he timed the ball was just amazing.
The former skipper showed great commitment towards the team and attacked the bowlers fearlessly. Ganguly wasn’t afraid to play big shots against the spinners. He won seven Man of the Series awards in 311 matches in the limited-overs format.
Besides, Ganguly took bold decisions as a captain while making changes in the field as well as while batting. He was called the man with a golden arm as he had this knack of picking wickets with his medium-pace bowling. Ganguly scored 11363 runs in the 50-over format.
Ricky Ponting – seven Man of the Series Awards in 375 matches
The former Australian captain Ricky Ponting stood like a rock during challenging situations and his focus seemed unbreakable when he batted. His fearless approach brought positive results for his side. Ponting would take calculated risks while batting and as per match situations.
The right-hander drove the ball effortlessly with his classical timing and found the gaps beautifully with his wristy yet elegant flicks.
Ponting possessed amazing footwork on any sort of wickets. Anything short on the leg side and Ponting was quick to pull the ball away. Ponting won seven Man of the Series awards in 375 matches in the limited-overs format. Ponting showcased great footwork while batting on Indian sub-continent wickets against the spinners.
The Aussie veteran scored 13,378 runs in his ODI career.