The BCA Stadium in Vadodara witnessed yet another masterclass in running on Sunday. India had a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in his first ODI. Chasing a competitive 301 goal, the Men in Blue found their anchor Virat KohliHis magnificent 93 off 91 balls set the tone for victory. While New Zealand struggled late in the game, he made vital contributions KL Rahul (29*) and Harshit Rana (29) ensured India crossed the finish line in a gap to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Virat Kohli claims the Player of the Match award for his batting brilliance
It was a remarkable night for the former India captain. He narrowly missed out on his 54th ODI century – fell short Kyle Jamieson for a well-crafted 93 in the middle – his innings was the difference between the two sides. Kohli’s knock, which was laced with eight fours and a six, showed his trademark precision and intent, steadying the chase after the collapse of the openers.
This match-winning performance gave Kohli his 45th wicket Player of the Match (POTM) award in ODIs. At the post-match presentation, a humble Kohli revealed a heartwarming detail about his accolades, saying that he sent all his trophies to his mother in Gurugram, who loved keeping them. With this latest honour, Kohli has further cemented his place among the pantheon of ODI greats, edging closer to the top spot on the all-time leaderboard.
Man of the Match awards in ODI history
With his heroics in Vadodara, Kohli has cemented his place in the elite list of players with the most Man of the Match awards in the 50-over format. Let’s take a look at the legendary trio that sit at the top of this famous list:
3) Virat Kohli (India) – 45 awards
Often regarded as the greatest chaser the game has ever seen, Kohli’s haul of 45 is a testament to his incredible consistency over nearly two decades. His ability to pace the innings and soak up pressure has led to countless Indian victories. Unlike the explosive openers above him on this list, Kohli’s rewards often come from tough, high-pressure knocks in the middle order, making his tally uniquely impressive. With his current form, he looks like he will soon break through to the second tier.
2) Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 48 Awards
Legend of Sri Lanka Sanath Jayasuriya He revolutionized ODI cricket in the 90s with his aggressive batting. He is second on the list with 48 awards from 445 games. A true all-rounder, Jayasuriya often won the honor not only for his explosive centuries but also for his crafty left-arm spin that broke many crucial partnerships. He remains one of the most influential match-winners in the history of the format.
1) Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 62 Awards
Sitting comfortably at the top is phenomenal Sachin Tendulkar. With an astonishing 62 awards in 463 matches, Tendulkar’s record seems almost untouchable. His career has spanned generations and his ability to dominate attacks in different eras and conditions has given him unparalleled longevity. Kohli needs one more sustained reign to catch Tendulkar, but for now the Master Blaster is on top.
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