IPL 2016: Players with most Man of the Match awards in tournament's history

The Indian Premier League has reached the halfway mark in the 9th edition. Over the years, the tournament has shown how an individual can contribute immensely with his performance.

Sometimes it just takes a special innings or a brilliant spell of bowling to turn the game in the team’s favour. There have been several players both Indians and overseas who have proved to be match winners.

Here is a look at such players who have been rewarded the most number of times with the Man of the Match award:

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6. Suresh Raina

Raina has been the most prolific run-getter in the IPL across all seasons. Barring 2015, he had scored more than 400 runs in all seasons. He has also won the MOM award at least once in all seasons including the ongoing one. He was one of the reasons for success of the CSK franchise.

He has bagged the MOM award 13 times so far in 140 IPL matches. He had played for now-defunct franchise CSK since the first season till 2015 and recently was the captain of the new franchise, Gujarat Lions.

He is also the leading run scorer in IPL history till date and has won the MOM award twice in seasons 3, 6 and 7 and once in seasons 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8.

5. Rohit Sharma

The current skipper of Mumbai Indians is full of class and elegance. When he gets going, there are few better demolishers in the game. Since he moved to Mumbai Indians from Deccan Chargers, there has been a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the team.

Under him, MI has won the IPL twice and the Champions League T20 once.

He has won the MOM award 13 times in 137 IPL matches. He played the first three seasons for Deccan Chargers and won it 3 times. Since 2011, he has been with MI and has won the award 10 times. He is also second in the list of all-time highest run-getters in the IPL just behind Suresh Raina.

4. AB de Villiers

Known as Mr. 360, he makes a mark whichever team he plays for. He is the most loved overseas cricketer in India. ABD has indeed repaid the faith of the fans by notching up big runs more often than not.

He has clinched the MOM award a total of 13 times in 111 IPL matches. He played the first 3 seasons for DD and won it only twice. His performances improved drastically when he moved to RCB in 2011. Since the fourth season, he has won the award 11 times.

3. David Warner

The pocket size dynamite from Australia is amongst the most explosive batsmen in the world. He possesses such abilities that he can dismantle any bowling attack with his brute power.

Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he alone is holding the flag high in the batting department and is responsible for a fruitful season for the team so far.

He has won the MOM award 13 times in 90 IPL matches. Till 2013, Warner was a part of Delhi Daredevils’ squad and won the MOM award 5 times for them. Since his move to SRH, he has won it 8 times. This season alone, he has won it twice and with the kind of form he is in, he could be in for a few more.

2. Yusuf Pathan

The big-hitting all-rounder has won the MOM awards the most number of times amongst all Indian players. He is handy with his off-spin bowling as well as with the power hitting lower down the order.

In total, he has been adjudged the Man of the Match 14 times in 128 IPL matches so far.

He had tremendous first 3 seasons with Rajasthan Royals where he claimed the award 9 times. In the first season alone, he won it 4 times and played a pivotal role in the team becoming the champions in the inaugural season. Since his move to KKR in 2011, he has won it 5 times till date.

1. Chris Gayle

When it comes to utter domination, there is no bigger name than Chris Gayle in the world of cricket. The size of the man and the power in the arms are enough to frighten any bowler. There have been numerous incidents when he alone has won the games for the team with his brutal hitting.

In just 86 IPL matches so far, he has won the MOM award a whooping 17 times. In 2009, he won 1 MOM award playing for KKR. In 2011, he moved to RCB and won the award 6 times in that season, a record for most number of MOM awards in a single season.

2012 onwards, he has won it 10 more times. He is also 3rd on the list of all-time leading run-scorers in the IPL.