The Player of the Tournament in the ODI World Cup is the individual who shines the brightest throughout the competition, showcasing exceptional skill, consistency, and performance on the cricketing world’s grandest stage. This award recognizes a player’s outstanding contributions, both with the bat and the ball, as well as in the field. It is a testament to their dedication, determination, and ability to deliver when it matters most. The Player of the Tournament becomes a symbol of excellence and often leaves an indelible mark on the history of the ODI World Cup, leaving fans and experts in awe of their remarkable cricketing prowess. In this article, we have listed All Player of the Tournament in ODI World Cup history.
Introduction of Player of the Tournament Award
The “Player of the Tournament” award in the ICC Cricket World Cup was introduced in the 1992 edition of the tournament, which was held in Australia and New Zealand. The award recognizes the outstanding individual performance of a player throughout the tournament and is based on their contributions with both bat and ball. Since then, it has become a prestigious accolade in ODI World Cup competitions, given to the player who has made the most significant impact.
Who won the First Player of the Tournament in ICC World Cup ?
The first Player of the Tournament in the ICC Cricket World Cup was awarded to Martin Crowe of New Zealand. This honor was awarded to Crowe during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. He had an exceptional tournament, where he was the top run-scorer with 456 runs, and his exceptional batting skills and leadership were instrumental in New Zealand’s journey to the semi-finals of the competition.
Players of the tournament in the ODI World Cup from 1992 to 2023
1992 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Martin Crowe (New Zealand)
Martin Crowe was named the Player of the Tournament for the 1992 Cricket World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. He was the captain of the New Zealand team and played a pivotal role in their journey to the semi-finals. Crowe was an exceptional batsman and scored a total of 456 runs during the tournament. His captaincy and batting prowess were crucial in New Zealand’s successful campaign.
1996 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
The Player of the Tournament in the 1996 Cricket World Cup was Sanath Jayasuriya from Sri Lanka. He was a key all-rounder for the Sri Lankan team and played a crucial role in their successful campaign during the tournament. Jayasuriya’s aggressive batting and effective left-arm spin bowling made him one of the standout performers of the 1996 World Cup, and he was rightfully awarded the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding contributions. Jayasuriya scored 221 runs and took 6 wickets during the tournament.
1999 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Lance Klusener (South Africa)
Lance Klusener, a talented all-rounder, was named the Player of the Tournament for the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Klusener’s performances with both the bat and ball were vital for South Africa. He scored 281 runs and took 17 wickets, often rescuing his team from challenging situations and playing crucial roles in close matches.
2003 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, was named the Player of the Tournament in the 2003 Cricket World Cup held in South Africa. Tendulkar was in sublime form and emerged as the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 673 runs. Apart from that, the GOAT also took 2 wickets in the World Cup with his bowling skills. His consistent and prolific batting performances were instrumental in India’s journey to the final.
2007 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Glenn McGrath, a legendary fast bowler from Australia, was the Player of the Tournament in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. McGrath’s incredible consistency and wicket-taking ability were on full display as he took 26 wickets, making him the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. His performances were a key factor in Australia’s World Cup victory.
2011 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Yuvraj Singh (India)
Yuvraj Singh was named the Player of the Tournament for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Yuvraj was a versatile all-rounder for India, scoring 362 runs and taking 15 wickets. His ability to perform under pressure and his crucial contributions in both batting and bowling played a significant role in India’s World Cup victory.
2015 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc, an Australian fast bowler, was the Player of the Tournament for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Starc was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 22 wickets. His pace and accuracy made him a formidable force, and he played a pivotal role in Australia’s World Cup triumph.
2019 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
Kane Williamson, the captain of the New Zealand cricket team, was named the Player of the Tournament for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Williamson scored 578 runs, showing exceptional composure and consistency in high-pressure situations. His captaincy and batting were crucial in New Zealand reaching the World Cup final.
These players left a lasting impact on their respective World Cup tournaments and were instrumental in their teams’ success, showcasing exceptional skills and consistency throughout the competitions.
2023 World Cup – Player of the Tournament : Virat Kohli (India)
In the highly anticipated 2023 Cricket World Cup, one player’s stellar performance outshone the rest, earning him the prestigious title of Player of the Tournament. Virat Kohli, the formidable Indian batsman, left an indelible mark on the tournament with his exceptional skills and consistent contributions to Team India’s success.
Kohli’s batting prowess was on full display throughout the tournament, as he amassed runs with remarkable ease and finesse. He scored a total of 765 runs in the tournament which is the most ever scored by an individual batter at a men’s Cricket World Cup. Kohli was at his best as he finished the tournament with an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.31 in the tournament. In his campaign, Virat hit three centuries which came against Bangladesh, South Africa and New Zealand.
Read also : ICC ODI World Cup Winners list – 1975 to 2023
