There have been times when a team was hoisted on the shoulders of one man throughout the tournament. Yes, winning the World Cup with that is tough, but that man can win the best player's award. Virat Kohli is one of a kind, receiving the award while standing on a losing cause. Nevertheless, there are players who got awards on the basis of being the best of the best. In the nine editions of the T20 World Cup, there have been some players who have consistently performed as match-winners. Though many players have performed in some memorable matches, very few have consistently topped the Player of the Match (POTM) list. Who won the most number of POTMs in T20 World Cup history? The influence of Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cups is evident from the fact that he has won eight Player of the Match awards, the most by any player in the history of the tournament. His ability to manage his innings and then finish with a flourish has been a worry for teams for over a decade now. His unbeaten 82 against Pakistan at the MCG in 2022 and his crucial 76 in the 2024 final against South Africa are some of the most remembered performances. Kohli is the only cricketer to have won the Player of the Tournament award twice (2014, 2016), which again proves that he is the ultimate big-match player. Also Read | Top 3 Batters Who Can Score A Century in the Upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup The Exclusive Five-Award Group Four players are tied for second place, with each one leading their country to memorable victories on five different occasions. Chris Gayle (West Indies): The “Universe Boss” relied on sheer power to win five awards, including two centuries that pushed the limits of T20 batting. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): A top-class technician, Jayawardene earned his five awards with graceful strokeplay and smart game awareness during the tournament’s early years. Shane Watson (Australia): Watson’s performance in the 2012 T20 World Cup remains the best by an all-rounder in the tournament. He won four consecutive Player of the Match awards, which was a massive influence in the tournament. Adam Zampa (Australia): The latest addition to this list, Zampa has quickly become one of the biggest match-winners for Australia. His five awards, largely from the 2021 and 2024 events, highlight the importance of leg-spin as a wicket-taking option in T20 cricket. Read Also | T20 World Cup 2026: 5 Overseas Players Who Shine in Indian Conditions Players who won at least four or more POTMs in T20 WCs Player Team Awards Matches Virat Kohli India 8 35 Adam Zampa Australia 5 21 Shane Watson Australia 5 24 Mahela Jayawardene Sri Lanka 5 31 Chris Gayle West Indies 5 33 AB de Villiers South Africa 4 30 Shahid Afridi Pakistan 4 34