Top 5 Indian Captains With The Most Man Of The Match Awards In T20Is
Rohit Sharma has the most number of centuries in the T20Is (X.com)
Captains play a pivotal role in a team's journey to success. While T20 cricket is gaining prominence in the cricket world, the role of captains has been more hectic than before as they have to take quick calls under pressure, which goes beyond any other players' performances. It's nothing but icing on the cake when the captain takes charge and wins games with their performances, and that's what is actually called leading the front.
Team India has tried a lot of captains in the last couple of years, especially in T20I format. With Suryakumar Yadav leading the team in the series against Australia and South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah leading in Ireland and even Hardik Pandya, who led the team against New Zealand, there are a few players along with the full-time captains who have led the team from the front.
At OneCricket, we delve into the realm of T20I cricket to spotlight the Indian captains, who gave match-winning performances during their tenure.
Let's have a look at the top 5 Indian captains with the most number of Man of the Match awards in T20Is.
Rohit Sharma - 6 Times
Rohit Sharma (X.com)
The right-handed top-order batter, Rohit Sharma has been a clutch player for the Indian team ever since he made his debut in the T20Is. He has been leading the Indian team and took them to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2022 as well. While being the most capped T20I player, he is also the second-highest run-scorer in the shortest format with 3974 runs in 143 innings.
Rohit holds the record for smashing most centuries and most sixes in the T20Is. Recently, he also became the most successful T20I Indian captain by surpassing MS Dhoni in terms of most wins. With his record-breaking century against Afghanistan, Rohit earned his sixth Man of the Match award as the captain of the Indian team and comes at the top of the list of Indian captains with the most MOM awards.
Virat Kohli - 3 Times
Virat Kohli (X.com)
Virat Kohli has been the foremost batter of the Indian team in all three formats of the game during the last decade. Virat Kohli is the only player to have crossed the 4,000-run mark in the T20Is and is currently ruling the top-scorers chart. After the T20 World Cup 2016, Virat took charge of leading the team in all three formats of the game and since then, he played some brilliant match-winning knocks.
Undoubtedly, Virat is the greatest batter in the current cricket world and can win games single-handedly. With 4037 runs under his belt, he has a lot of T20I records to his name and has been a force to reckon with. During his captaincy days, Virat with his magnificent performances claimed the Man of the Match award thrice, which takes him to the second spot of the list.
Suryakumar Yadav - 2
Suryakumar Yadav (X.com)
The man who needs no introduction, Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as SKY, has kind of owned the T20I format. With his exceptional performances every now and then in the shortest format, SKY has been one of a kind for the Indian team. In just 57 innings, he has already hammered four T20I tons and is used to send the ball sailing over the bowlers directly into the stands.
With the kind of composure he carries in this particular format, he has been a different gravy. Surya was asked to captain the Indian team against the Australian tea and the South African team recently. He took just two series to win two Man of the Match awards, scoring two centuries and registering his name on the third position of this list.
Jasprit Bumrah - 1
Jasprit Bumrah (X.com)
India's ace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most lethal pace bowlers in the world. Apart from the time he has been away from the game due to injuries, he has been one of the best T20I bowlers in the world. Whether it's his yorkers or the slower ones, he has managed to deceive the best of batters in the cricket world.
After a long injury break, Bumrah was asked to make a comeback in Ireland and that too as a captain of the Indian team. In his comeback match, he scalped two wickets and became the Man of the Match. With this particular performance, he comes fourth on the list of players with the most MOM Awards.
Suresh Raina - 1
Suresh Raina (X.com)
One of the most magnificent fielders in the cricket world, Suresh Raina was indomitable in the T20I format. Having played 78 T20Is for India, Raina amassed over 1600 runs in just 66 innings and has one century under his belt as well. Apart from his skills with the bat, he was also a premium off-break bowler and has scalped 13 wickets as well.
In 2010, Suresh Raina was asked to lead the Indian team for the Zimbabwe tour which consisted of three T20Is. In the second game, Raina hammered the bowlers and went on to score 72 not out and became the Man of the Match. This award brings him fifth among the list of Indian captains with the most number of MOM awards.
 "Saksham Chugh")
