The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is about to commence, and with just four days left, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up for another thrilling edition of the world’s most celebrated T20 league. This season, all eyes will be on two Indian cricketing legends – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have the golden opportunity to etch their names in the history books by becoming the players with the most Player of the Match awards in IPL history.
The Battle for the Most Player of the Match Awards in IPL History
Currently, South African great AB de Villiers holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards, having received the accolade 25 times in his illustrious IPL career. He is followed closely by the destructive Chris Gayle, who has won the award 22 times. Among active players, Rohit Sharma (19 times) and Virat Kohli (18 times) are the closest contenders.
With de Villiers and Gayle no longer part of the IPL, the 2025 season presents Rohit and Kohli with a golden opportunity to surpass these records and establish themselves as the undisputed match-winners in IPL history. However, the task is far from easy, as both players will need consistent match-winning performances throughout the tournament to claim the top spot.
Virat Kohli’s Preparation for IPL 2025
The first match of IPL 2025 will see Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) take on defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Virat Kohli has already begun intense training sessions to fine-tune his game ahead of the tournament.
Recently, Kohli was spotted practicing rigorously at RCB’s home ground, working extensively with a throwdown specialist in the nets. With his stellar performances in the Champions Trophy, Kohli has showcased his ability to rise to big occasions, and his team will hope he carries this form into IPL 2025.
Rohit Sharma to Join Mumbai Indians Soon
Rohit Sharma, who has been on a brief vacation in the Maldives, is set to join Mumbai Indians (MI) shortly as they prepare for their campaign opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23. Despite leading MI to five IPL titles in the past, Rohit will no longer be at the helm, as Hardik Pandya has been handed the captaincy for IPL 2025. However, as one of the team’s most experienced players, Rohit’s presence will be invaluable.
What Rohit and Kohli Need to Do to Break the Record
Given that all teams will play 14 matches in the group stage, Rohit and Kohli have a fair chance to eclipse de Villiers’ record if they deliver match-winning performances consistently.
- If Rohit Sharma manages to win the Player of the Match award in 7 matches, he will surpass AB de Villiers and set a new record.
- If Virat Kohli secures the award 8 times, he will claim the top position outright.
While these numbers might seem within reach, in reality, winning 7-8 Player of the Match awards in a single IPL season is an uphill battle. Consistency, form, and impactful performances will be crucial in determining whether these two legends can rewrite IPL history.
Virat Kohli: The King of Boundaries
Apart from chasing the Player of the Match record, Virat Kohli already holds the distinction of hitting the most fours in IPL history. He has smashed 705 fours, making him the only batsman to surpass the 700-mark.
Here’s how the top three players stack up in the most fours category:
- Virat Kohli – 705 fours
- David Warner – 663 fours
- Rohit Sharma – 599 fours
With just one more four, Rohit Sharma will become only the third player in IPL history to cross the 600-fours milestone, further solidifying his legacy in the tournament.
A Season of Milestones and Records
IPL 2025 promises to be a landmark season, with some of the biggest names in cricket set to achieve historic milestones:
- Can Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli surpass AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle for the most Player of the Match awards?
- Will Rohit cross the 600-fours mark in IPL?
- Will Kohli extend his record as the highest four-hitter in IPL history?
With all these records on the line, IPL 2025 is set to be an electrifying season, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. As Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gear up to chase history, all eyes will be on their performances as they look to cement their legacies as two of the greatest IPL players of all time.
