Players with most POTMs in ODI World Cups: It is no mean task to succeed in a high pressure environment like the World Cup. Players who excel in these world events make a mark for themselves. Youngsters especially coming into this tournament look at it as a big opportunity to showcase their talent. At times this expectations lead to added pressure.
But there are a few players who are able to overcome all odds. These players go on to have exceptional World Cups. They raise their game when the stakes are high. It is no surprise that the list of players winning the most POTMs in ODI World Cups is an elite one.
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4 Players with most POTMs in ODI World Cups:
#4 Lance Klusener – 5
He was an absolute freak of nature. Lance Klusener was the best allrounder of his generation. He could win games with bot bat and the ball. Klusener came into his own in the 1999 World Cup. South Africa was one of the strongest contenders for the title. They had match winners across the playing XI. But it was Klusener who was the glue that made them successful. He was absolutely unstoppable in the 1999 World Cup.
In a game against Sri Lanka, South Africa was staring at an embarrassing defeat. But Klusener powered the Proteas to a respectable total. He later stepped up with the ball to take them to victory. Klusener won POTM in almost all the games. His take down of Pakistan’s bowling in the Super 6 stage was spectacular. Klusener won 5 POTM, a count that he shares with 5 other cricketers but nobody won 5 POTMs in just 14 World Cup games.
#3 Glenn McGrath – 6
He tops the list of wicket takers in ODI World Cups. Glenn McGrath was at his brilliant best in the tournament. He holds the distinction of finishing as runner-up in one edition and winning 3 consecutive editions thereafter. McGrath picked up 71 wickets in 39 games at an outstanding average of 18.20.
He picked up 3 POTMs across three editions in 1996, 1999, and 2003. But it was in 2007 when he was in a different league of his own. McGrath bagged 3 POTMs and also won the player of the series award. He is the only specialist bowler in this list to have won more than 5 POTMs (6).
#2 Rohit Sharma – 7
The Indian captain went passed Glenn McGrath in the game against England. Rohit Sharma had to face the ignominy of being left out from the squad in the 2011 World Cup. He turned a page around and made himself undroppable after becoming an opener. Sharma won the POTM award in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal against Bangladesh.
He went on to win 4 POTMs in the 2019 World Cup wherein he smashed a record 5 hundreds. Sharma has already won 2 POTMs in the current edition. He has won a total of 7 awards and will be looking to top the list at the end of this World Cup.
#1 Sachin Tendulkar – 9
He was India’s lone bright spot in the 1992 World Cup. Sachin Tendulkar won the POTM award in India’s first World Cup win over Pakistan. He was the highest run-getter in the 1996 edition. Tendulkar scored an emotional century against Kenya in the 1999 World Cup.
He was the player of the World Cup in 2003 scoring 673 runs. Tendulkar’s knock against Pakistan in that edition is regarded as one of his best. The little master won 9 World Cup POTMs across 6 editions playing 45 games!
