The game changers: Female cricketers who dominated ODIs with most POTM awards

Soumyajit Dutta

Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry [Source: @shubhi_chawan/X.com]Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry [Source: @shubhi_chawan/X.com]

In a commanding display against New Zealand at the Women's World Cup, Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana once again proved her match-winning credentials, crafting a sublime 109 to guide her team to a crucial victory. 

This performance not only sealed India's semi-final spot in the tournament but also earned Mandhana a familiar accolade, the Player of the Match award. With this latest honour, Mandhana further cements her status in an elite group of most Player of the Match awards in the history of Women's ODI cricket. 

Let's take a look at the elite group of women cricketers who top the list.

4) Ellyse Perry & Charlotte Edwards (17 POTM awards)

Starting off this list is Australia icon Ellyse Perry and England's ex-skipper Charlotte Edwards. Both these cricketers have decorated portfolios under their name, which defines them as having 17 Player of the Match awards.

While Ellyse Perry has 4427 runs and 166 wickets from her 163 matches at an average of 48.64, Edwards boasts 5992 from her 191 WODIs. However, it is important to note that while Perry is an all-rounder and also gathered several POTMs in terms of her bowling, Edwards was a top-order premier batter for England. 

3) Smriti Mandhana (18 POTM awards)

Smriti Mandhana makes her stand at the top three of this list with her 18 POTM awards, with the latest one being awarded for her heroics against New Zealand Women. Mandhana scored a magnificent 109 off 95 balls to give a leading edge to her team as India piled up a massive 340 runs. 

The Maharashtra-born has played 114 ODIs so far, where she managed to pile up 5219 runs at an average of 48.32. She also boasts 14 ODI centuries and 34 fifties to her name as she continues to be an elegant batting force for the Women in Blue at the top.

2) Mithali Raj (20 POTM awards)

Mithali Raj, India's greatest female batter, holds 20 Player of the Match awards in Women’s ODIs, a testament to her consistency and class. In a remarkable career spanning over two decades, she played 232 WODIs, scoring 7,805 runs at an impressive average of 50.68, including seven centuries and 64 fifties. 

The only Indian captain, male or female, to lead the side to two ODI World Cup finals, Raj’s elegance, composure, and technical brilliance defined her era. Besides being known for her aggressive stroke play on the field and calm leadership, she also remains the all-time leading run-scorer in women’s ODI history.

1) Stafanie Taylor (28 POTM awards)

The one to top the elite list of most Player of The Match awards in Women's ODIs is Stafanie Taylor. One of West Indies’ finest cricketers, Taylor claimed 20 POTMs. In a stellar career of 170 ODIs, she has amassed 5,873 runs at an average of 42.25, including seven centuries and 41 fifties, while also taking 155 wickets with her clever off-spin. 

The Jamaican all-rounder made history in 2013 by becoming the only player, to top the ICC ODI rankings for both batting and bowling simultaneously. A natural leader, Taylor also guided West Indies to their maiden ICC Women’s World T20 title in 2016, earning Player of the Tournament honours.