Who has won the most number of Man of the Series awards in ODIs

After a disastrous 2018 that saw his position in the Indian team under immense pressure and scrutiny, MS Dhoni staged a comeback of sorts as he capped off a wonderful run with the bat in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia by winning the Player of the Series award. This was his first such award after a gap of seven years. By all means, it added to his stature as a legend in limited overs cricket.

Dhoni has now won the Man of the Series award a total of 7 times in a total of 78 series that he has played and ranks at number 11 on a list of players with the most Player of the Series award victories. A list that is undoubtedly studded with legends of the game, past, and present. Let's have a look at the ones who are part of the top 10 list.

#10 Ricky Ponting (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 77)

Australia v Pakistan: Group A - 2011 ICC World Cup

The former Aussie skipper and batsman, Ricky Ponting narrowly edged out Dhoni to be placed at number 10 after having won the award a total of 7 times in 77 series that he played which is one less than what Dhoni took to achieve the same milestone.

#9 Sourav Ganguly (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 75)

Another Indian batting legend and former Indian skipper under whom Dhoni made his ODI debut, Sourav Ganguly sits marginally ahead of him on this list of MoS award victories having won an equal number of awards in 3 series less. In a total of 75 ODI series that he played, Dada, as he is fondly referred to as won the award 7 times.

#8 Yuvraj Singh (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 71)

Hailed by many as one of the greatest match winners that India ever produced in limited overs cricket, Yuvraj Singh, India’s man for the big moments stands at number 8 in this list having won the MoS award a total of 7 times in 71 series that he played.

This also includes that iconic MoS award that the Indian ODI vice-captain won in the 2011 Worl braving cancer as he after heroic performances throughout the tournament saw India lift the WC after a gap of 28 years from the non-striker's end.

#7 Chris Gayle (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 68)

Chris Gayle or The Universal Boss as he refers to himself is at number 7 on this list having won 7 MoS awards in a total of 68 series that he played. It is only unfortunate that he had a fall out with the Windies cricket board in his prime years, if not for which he could have easily bettered his number 6 position on this list. Gayle has continued to script his legend in T20 leagues around the world. But the international arena surely missed him.

#6 Virat Kohli (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 51)

King Kohli, the Indian Captain and current batting mainstay across formats, has an appetite for chasing and rewriting records just like his idol Sachin Tendulkar. And at the rate he is going, there is no reason why he cannot end his career on the top of this list. At this moment though he is another player who is tied at 7 award victories. But the fact that he has achieved this in 51 series means that he is ranked at number 6 in the all-time list.

#5 Hashim Amla (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 47)

It was a prolific rivalry for records for a brief time in international cricket as Virat Kohli scripted records and Hashim Amla chased them down. Of late though, the rock in the South African middle order seems to be fading and has been woefully out of form for the level of expectations he had set for himself. For the moment though, this is another record where The Mighty Hash has edged ahead of Virat Kohli. Amla has won 7 awards in 47 series that he played.

#4 Viv Richards (MoS awards- 7; Series played- 40)

Sir Viv Richards sits at number 4 on this list. It speaks volumes about how the Windies legend was a player miles ahead of his time as he won the award 7 times in as less as 40 series that he was a part of. The lesser frequency of international series in those days certainly helped a few others in this list to have maintained their positions.

#3 Shaun Pollock (MoS awards- 9; Series played- 60)

The former South African legend, was perhaps the greatest all-rounder South Africa ever produced after Jacques Kallis. Shaun Pollock sits at number 3 in this list with a total of 9 MoS awards in 60 series. In a list that is dominated by batting greats, it is refreshing to see a bowling all-rounder mark his presence.

#2 Sanath Jayasuriya (MoS awards- 11; Series played- 111)

The ageless Lankan lion in many ways revolutionized batting in limited overs. Especially the art of opening. The Sri Lankan legend had a stellar career and set quite a few records. One among them is his relatively unchallenged position at number 2 on this list. Sanath Jayasuriya won the MoS award a total of 11 times in 111 series that he was part of.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar (MoS awards- 15; Series played- 108)

There is hardly any record in the cricketing world that is not held by this man. The Master Blaster who is revered as a God by many sits at top of yet another record list as he won a total of 15 awards in a total of 108 series that he played. In a career of unbelievable longevity coupled with unbridled class and caliber, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar maintained remarkable consistency as he ascended many cricket charts.

And as is the case with most of the records, fellow Indian, Virat Kohli seems the only person in the chart who could potentially overtake him to the coveted numero uno position on this chart. For now, though, the record looks elusive to lesser mortals that the world produces.

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