Some players dominate the tournament with consistent batting bowling or all round contributions. Their performances play a key role and in close tournaments Net Run Rate can also decide which teams reach the later stages.
The ICC gives the Players of the Tournament award to recognize the best performer of the event. The player of the tournament t20 world cup title goes to the cricketer who makes the biggest impact during the competition.
This recognition is also commonly called the man of the tournament award. In this article we look at the complete T20 World Cup best player list from 2007 to 2026 and the achievements that made these players stand out.
List of Players of the Tournament in ICC T20 World Cup (2007–2026)
Below is the complete list of Players of the Tournament in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history.
| Year | Player | Team | Achievement |
| 2007 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 12 wickets and 91 runs |
| 2009 | Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 317 runs |
| 2010 | Kevin Pietersen | England | 248 runs |
| 2012 | Shane Watson | Australia | 249 runs and 11 wickets |
| 2014 | Virat Kohli | India | 319 runs |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | India | 273 runs |
| 2021 | David Warner | Australia | 289 runs |
| 2022 | Sam Curran | England | 13 wickets |
| 2024 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 15 wickets |
| 2026 | Sanju Samson | India | 321 runs |
Shahid Afridi (2007)
Shahid Afridi was the standout performer in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. His all round performances played a crucial role in Pakistan reaching the final.
Afridi took 12 wickets and also scored important runs during the tournament. Because of his impact he won the man of the tournament in 2007 t20 world cup award.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (2009)
Tillakaratne Dilshan was the top performer for Sri Lanka in the 2009 ICC T20 World Cup. His attacking batting helped Sri Lanka reach the final of the tournament.
Dilshan scored 317 runs and finished as the leading run scorer of the event. His consistency made him the best player of the 2009 edition.
Kevin Pietersen (2010)
Kevin Pietersen played a major role in England winning the 2010 ICC T20 World Cup. His aggressive batting helped England dominate several important matches.
Pietersen scored 248 runs in the tournament and delivered key performances during the Super Eight stage. His impact earned him the best player award of the tournament.
Shane Watson (2012)
Shane Watson delivered one of the best all round performances in the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup. His contributions with both bat and ball made him a key player for Australia.
Watson scored 249 runs and also took 11 wickets during the tournament. Because of this performance he became the player of the tournament in 2012.
Virat Kohli (2014 & 2016)
Virat Kohli delivered exceptional batting performances in both the 2014 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cups. His consistency helped India reach the later stages in both tournaments.
He scored 319 runs in 2014 and 273 runs in 2016. These performances made him one of the most successful winners of the Players of the Tournament award.
David Warner (2021)
David Warner played a key role in 2021 helping them become T20 World Cup Winners for the first time. His aggressive batting gave strong starts in several matches.
Warner scored 289 runs during the tournament and delivered crucial performances in the knockout stage. His consistency helped him win the man of the tournament award.
Sam Curran (2022)
Sam Curran was the standout bowler in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup and played a vital role in England winning the tournament. His bowling performances were crucial in key matches.
Curran took 13 wickets including an excellent spell in the final. Because of his impact he was named player of the tournament t20 world cup in 2022.
Jasprit Bumrah (2024)
Jasprit Bumrah dominated the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup with his exceptional bowling. His ability to control the run rate made him extremely effective for India.
Bumrah finished the tournament with 15 wickets and maintained an outstanding economy rate. His performance earned him the Players of the Tournament award.
Sanju Samson (2026)
Sanju Samson delivered a historic batting performance in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. His aggressive batting helped India dominate several matches in the tournament.
Samson scored a record 321 runs in the competition during a tournament that also saw the highest team score in T20 matches. Because of this achievement he won the Players of the Tournament award.
Most Successful Player of the Tournament Winners
Virat Kohli is the most successful player in the history of the Players of the Tournament award in the ICC T20 World Cup. He is the only cricketer who has won this award twice.
His performances in the 2014 and 2016 editions were crucial for India. His ability to score under pressure in big venues like the world largest stadium made him one of the best players in T20 World Cup history.
Key Points
- Virat Kohli is the only player to win the award twice.
- He won the award in 2014 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cups.
- Kohli scored 319 runs in 2014 which was the highest in that edition.
- In 2016 he scored 273 runs and delivered several match winning innings.
Conclusion
Since 2007, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has produced many memorable performances from top cricketers. The Players of the Tournament award recognizes those who consistently perform throughout the event.
From Shahid Afridi in the first edition to Sanju Samson in 2026 each winner made a strong impact. In many matches the Powerplay in Cricket played a crucial role in shaping results.
These players showed consistency skill and match winning ability in the fast paced T20 format. Their contributions remain some of the most memorable moments in the tournament.
As the tournament grows the player of the tournament t20 world cup award will continue to highlight the best performers. It will remain one of the most respected honors in international cricket.
