5 IPL Bowlers with Most Man of the Match awards
In the Indian Premier League, bowlers play a crucial role in defining the outcome of matches, often turning the tide with remarkable spells. Over the years, several bowlers have stood out not only for their wicket-taking ability but also for their match-winning performances.
Among these bowlers, five have consistently dominated the IPL with multiple “Man of the Match” awards, highlighting their contributions to their team’s successes.
Here’s a look at the top five IPL bowlers with the most “Man of the Match” accolades
Amit Mishra
With 12 “Man of the Match” awards, Amit Mishra is the most decorated bowler in this category. His most recent award came on April 20, 2021, against Mumbai Indians, where his 4/24 spell at MA Chidambaram Stadium helped Delhi Capitals secure a win.
Mishra has been particularly effective against Pune Warriors and Mumbai Indians, earning three “Man of the Match” awards against each of these franchises. He won his first-ever match-winning award in 2008 against Deccan Chargers for his remarkable spell of 5/17. And, his standout performances in 2013 against Pune Warriors where he picked up 4/19 and 3/19 in two separate matches, also that was his best season with 4 Player of the Match awards.
Umesh Yadav
With 10 awards, Umesh sits at the 2nd spot and his last player of the match-winning performance came on April 1, 2022, when he bowled an exceptional spell of 4/23 against Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium.
Umesh Yadav has enjoyed great success against Punjab Kings, bagging six awards while playing against them. Also against Punjab, he was cited with Player of the Match 2 times in each of the 2012 and 2018 seasons.
Jasprit Bumrah
Currently, with 10 “Man of the Match” awards that will soon grab the top spot in this category, Jasprit Bumrah has been a force to reckon with in the IPL. His latest honor was on April 18, 2024, after a brilliant 3/21 spell against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Bumrah has consistently troubled Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, RCB, and Delhi Capitals by winning two awards against each of them, and his spectacular 5/10 spell in IPL 2022 against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Jasprit Bumrah’s best season was IPL 2019, where he won 3 Player of the Match awards in a single season and helped his side lift the IPL trophy for the 4th time. Also, Bumrah took 27 wickets in IPL 2020 which is the most by him in any season so far, and came 2nd in the race of Orange Cap.
Harbhajan Singh
An off-spinner with 8 “Man of the Match” awards is a rare sight in a tournament like IPL, Harbhajan Singh has proven his mettle time and again. His last award was on April 6, 2019, when his 2/17 spell helped Chennai Super Kings defeat Punjab Kings at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Harbhajan has been particularly successful against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, earning 2 awards against each of them, with a standout performance in 2009 where he won his 1st award for his 1/9 bowling spell of 4 overs which resulted in a low-scoring encounter. And, IPL 2015 and 2019 seasons were his most successful ones because he won 2 awards for his match-winning performances.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav rounds out the top five with 7 “Man of the Match” awards, and he is also one of the quality IPL Bowlers who deserves the top spot along with Bumrah. His latest came on May 7, 2024, when he bowled a spell of 2/25 against Rajasthan Royals at Arun Jaitley Stadium, helping Delhi Capitals secure victory. Kuldeep has been especially effective against Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals winning two awards each against them.
Kuldeep’s best season was IPL 2022, where he won 4 Player of the Match awards and announced his comeback in the Indian white-ball squad. He has various variations which helps him to adapt quickly to new conditions.
