Some say Test cricket separates the good from the great. It’s not just about the tons or wickets but showing up when it counts and bossing it when things get tough.
Some players just have that something special, and in Test cricket, these guys grabbed the spotlight, again and again.
Here’s a look at the top five when it comes to winning the most Player-of-the-Match awards in Test cricket:
1. Jacques Kallis: 23 Awards
Top dog? Jacques Kallis, a true all-rounder. He wasn’t just South Africa’s key player; he was their heart and soul. 166 Tests, 23 match awards. That’s insane, not just luck that is dominance.
With the bat, he could rescue the team, or smash them to victory. With the ball, he could break partnerships when the game was slipping away. He wasn’t flashy, but he got it done. Kallis didn’t need attention. He just earned it. Quietly. Regularly. Totally.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan: 19 Awards
Muttiah Muralitharan didn’t just take wickets; he destroyed entire teams. 800 Test wickets is something else. But 19 Player-of-the-Match awards in 133 Tests? Seriously impressive.
Murali’s special skill was his never-ending energy, over after over, spell after spell. He broke records, and batting orders. And he did it all with a smile that hid a killer instinct. Batters were never comfortable when Murali had the ball.
3. Shane Warne and Wasim Akram: 17 Awards
Shane Warne didn’t just bowl leg-spin. He reinvented it. Huge spin with a huge attitude. 17 Player-of-the-Match awards in 145 Tests, Warnie often turned games around for Australia.
Wasim Akram, on the other hand, was a fast-bowling genius. Reverse swing, new ball, old ball – he made the ball sing. 17 MOTMs in 104 Tests. He wasn’t just quick; he decided games. And that left-arm magic? Unplayable when he was on form.
See Also: – Asia Cup Winners List 1984 – 2025
4. Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara:
16 AwardsIf you want to talk about batting powerhouses, these two are always mentioned. Ricky Ponting, Australia’s legendary captain, often hammered the opposition with massive scores. Ashes or slow Indian pitch, Punter stepped up. 16 match awards in 168 Tests says it all.
Kumar Sangakkara was a pure joy to watch. Every time Sri Lanka needed calm under pressure, Sanga came through. Good wrists, perfect timing and steady head. 134 Tests. 16 times he changed everything. That tells you how often he saved Sri Lanka.
Read Also:- Most Runs in an innings in Test Cricket History
5. Curtly Ambrose, Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar: 14 Awards
These three legends always stood out. Sir Curtly Ambrose, the guy who scared batters silly, won 14 MOTM awards in just 98 Tests. A beast with the ball.
Steve Waugh was a different breed. The original Aussie ice-man, leading from the front, wearing down the opposition with determination. 14 match awards in 168 games, and most came when Australia was in trouble.
Then there’s Sachin Tendulkar. With 200 Tests, Tendulkar was great when it mattered. 14 awards don’t tell whole story
