The ICC T20 World Cup is set to return with its tenth edition, which will be played from 7 February to 8 March across venues in India and Sri Lanka. However, so far the tournament has produced some thrilling cricketing actions, but the final has seen a few players take the game to an altogether next level, bringing up match-winning performances, both with the bat as well as the ball.
Over these years, only a select few players have risen above the intensity of the occasion to deliver match-winning displays in the summit clash of T20 World Cup, thus winning the Player of the Match award. Whether through blistering batting effort, a game-changing spell or an all-round masterclass, these performances have not only shaped the outcome of the finale but have also rewarded them with the Player of the Match award. This article presents a full list of Player of the Match award winners in T20 World Cup finals over the years.
List of Player of the Match award winners in T20 World Cup Finals
Over these past few editions of the T20 World Cup, mostly members of the winning team have received the award. While Irfan Pathan received the award in the inaugural edition with India lifting the title, other players who feature in the list include Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Craig Kieswetter, Marlon Samuels, Kumar Sangakkara, Mitchell Marsh, Sam Curran and Virat Kohli.
With Marlon Samuels receiving the award twice, guiding the West Indies to two titles, it has been Irfan Pathan and Virat Kohli who feature in the list for India.
| Edition | Player of the Match | Team | Opposition | Batting | Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Irfan Pathan | India | Pakistan | 3*(3) | 3/16 (4) |
| 2009 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | 54* (40) | 1/20 (4) |
| 2010 | Craig Kieswetter | England | Australia | 63 (49) | – |
| 2012 | Marlon Samuels | West Indies | Sri Lanka | 78 (56) | 1/15 (4) |
| 2014 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | India | 52* (35) | – |
| 2016 | Marlon Samuels | West Indies | England | 85* (66) | – |
| 2021 | Mitchell Marsh | Australia | New Zealand | 77* (50) | 0/11 (1) |
| 2022 | Sam Curran | England | Pakistan | – | 3/12 (4) |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | India | South Africa | 76 (59) | – |
