From Virat Kohli to Jasprit Bumrah: Cricketers who won Player of the Tournament in each edition of T20 World Cup
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has evolved from a experimental hit-and-giggle tournament in 2007 into the most high-octane spectacle in the cricketing calendar. While the ultimate glory is lifting the silver trophy, the Player of the Tournament award is a rare badge of honour that recognizes individual brilliance sustained over several weeks of intense pressure. To win this, a player must do more than just perform; they must dominate.
From Shahid Afridi’s raw aggression in the inaugural edition to Jasprit Bumrah’s surgical precision in 2024, this award has mirrored the changing landscape of the shortest format. Only one man, Virat Kohli, has managed to scale this peak twice, proving that while T20 is often called a game of luck, greatness is built on consistency. As we head toward the 2026 edition, looking back at these MVPs tells the story of T20 cricket’s evolution.
The hall of fame: Player of the Tournament in each T20 World Cup edition
Each edition of the T20 World Cup has been defined by a specific archetype, sometimes it was the power-hitter, other times the mystery spinner, and occasionally, the clutch finisher. Here is the elite list of cricketers who rose above the rest.
2007: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
The “Lala” of world cricket was at the peak of his all-round powers in South Africa. While India won the trophy, Afridi was the heartbeat of the tournament. He claimed 12 wickets with his quick leg-spin and chipped in with 91 runs. His ability to squeeze the run rate in the middle overs set the template for modern T20 bowling.
2009: Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
The 2009 edition in England belonged to the man who invented the “Dilscoop.” Dilshan was a force of nature at the top of the order, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 317 runs in 7 matches. His aggressive intent in the powerplay revolutionized how openers approached the first six overs.
2010: Kevin Pietersen (England)
England’s first-ever ICC trophy win was fuelled by the genius of Kevin Pietersen. “KP” was the only batter who seemed to be playing on a different surface than everyone else in the Caribbean. He amassed 248 runs in 6 matches, playing a pivotal role in the final against Australia to secure his legacy.
2012: Shane Watson (Australia)
Watson’s 2012 campaign remains perhaps the most statistically dominant all-round performance in history. He finished as the top run-getter with 249 runs and the second-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets. Even though Australia didn’t win, Watson was the undisputed MVP.
2014 & 2016: Virat Kohli (India)
Kohli’s back-to-back awards in 2014 and 2016 cemented his status as a T20 master. In 2014, he scored a record-breaking 319 runs (Avg: 106.33). In 2016, on home soil, he was even more clutch, scoring 273 runs (Avg: 136.50). His ability to chase under pressure remains the gold standard of the format.
2021: David Warner (Australia)
Heading into the 2021 tournament, David Warner was written off after being dropped by his IPL franchise. He responded by smashing 289 runs, leading Australia to their maiden T20 World Cup title. It was a masterclass in resilience and high-impact batting.
2022: Sam Curran (England)
In a shift toward bowling dominance, Sam Curran became the first specialist fast bowler to win the award. His 13 wickets at an incredible economy rate, including a 3-wicket haul in the final, proved that left-arm variety and “death-overs” intelligence are the ultimate currencies in T20s.
2024: Jasprit Bumrah (India)
If 2022 was about the “crafty” bowler, 2024 was about “pure” dominance. Jasprit Bumrah’s performance in the USA and West Indies was historic. He took 15 wickets with an unheard-of economy of 4.17. His spell in the final against South Africa turned a near-certain defeat into a legendary victory for India.
Also READ: From Virat Kohli to Babar Azam: Leading run-scorers in each edition of T20 World Cup
Who could be the MVP of the 2026 T20 World Cup?
As the 2026 T20 World Cup approaches, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the focus shifts to the next generation of superstars. The slow, spinning tracks of the subcontinent will likely dictate the MVP race.
Hardik Pandya is a top contender; his ability to finish games and bowl high-speed bouncers makes him invaluable in-home conditions. However, all eyes are on the rising star Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless approach at the top of the order has already earned him high praise from legends like Ricky Ponting. From a bowling perspective, Varun Chakaravarthy could be the X-factor if his mystery spin finds grip on the Colombo or Chennai tracks.
Don’t count out global stars like Travis Head, who has developed a habit of winning big games, or Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, who will find the subcontinental pitches perfect for his brand of wizardry. With the format becoming even more explosive, the 2026 MVP will likely be a player who can provide three-dimensional value to their squad.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Complete squads of all teams along with their captains
