The Man of the Series awards are given to those players who perform the best among all on that particular series. However, the series may be a Test series or an ODI/T20I series. The players performed throughout the series be it a batsman or a bowler they gave their all in the series. Many players have won the Man of the Series several times in a year.

In this article, we will look into those players who have won the most Man Of The Series awards in a calendar year. However, no surprise that Cricket GOD Sachin Tendulkar is leading the list. Meanwhile, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan equalizes Sachin's record with his 5th "MOS" award yesterday in the T20I series against the Windies.

Read Also: Most T20 runs in a calendar year

AB De Villers | 2013 | 4 awards

Mr. 360 of cricket, Abraham Benjamin De Villiers won four Man Of The Series awards back in the year 2013. ABD is known for his 360-degree shorts around the ground in any format of the game. He can chase any target from any situation while also can save a test match when needed. ABD has played 114 tests, 228 ODIs, and 78 T20Is for the Proteas. However, ABD announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last month. The wicket-keeper batsman has smashed 20,044 runs throughout his cricket international career.

Also Read: Dale Steyn is likely to be the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad

Tilakaratne Dilshan | 2008 | 4 awards

Former Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan has also won four Man Of The Series awards in the year 2009. Dilshan has played 87 tests, 330 ODIs, and 80 T20Is for his country. Meanwhile, in his international cricket career, Dilshan has smashed 17,671 runs and won a T20 World Cup for Sri Lanka in 2014. Dilshan has also had some good part-time bowling skills. He has 106 wickets in ODIs while 39 wickets in Tests and 9 in T20Is.

Shakib Al Hasan | 2009 | 4 awards

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has also had a great year back in 2009. In 2009, Shakib grabbed four Man Of The Series awards and enlisted his name on this list. For the last 10 years, Shakib has been the best all-rounder for Bangladesh across formats. Meanwhile, he was also the best performer in the ODI World Cup 2019.

Shakib has played 59 tests, 215 ODIs, and 94 T20Is so far for Bangladesh. In those games, Shakib has scored 12,523 runs and also scalped 609 wickets throughout his international cricket career.

Read Also: Most ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year Trophy Winner

Ajantha Mendis | 2008 | 4 awards

Former Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis has also won the Man Of The Series award four times back in the year 2008. Mendis was a pillar of Sri Lanka's spin bowling department at those times. No one can forget his performance in the T20 World Cup stages especially in 2014. Meanwhile, that year Sri Lanka won their maiden T20 triumph.

The spinner has played 19 tests, 87 ODIs, and 39 T20Is. Meanwhile, in those games, Mendis has scalped 288 wickets and also bowls with a decent average.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Most test wickets by spinners

Mohammad Rizwan | 2021 | 5* awards

Currently the best T20I batsman in Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan has won five MOS awards in the year 2021. Moreover, Rizwan became the first T20 player to score 2000+ T20 runs in a calendar year. Meanwhile, Rizwan has also now touched the GOD of cricket Sachin Tendulkar, in terms of Man Of The Series awards in a calendar year.

Both of them have won five MOS awards in different calendar years. While Rizwan won this year and Sachin won back in 1998. The wicket-keeper batsman has played 19 tests, 41 ODIs, and 55 T20Is for Pakistan. Meanwhile, Rizwan has scored 3475 runs in his international cricket career so far.

Sachin Tendulkar | 1998 | 5 awards

The GOD of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar won five Man Of The Series awards back in the year 1998. Sachin was in his peak form at that time. Sachin has played 200 tests, 463 ODIs, and one T20I in his international cricket career span of 25 years. Tendulkar has scored 34, 357 runs throughout his international cricket career and smashed 100 tons including 51 Tests and 49 in ODIs.

None can forget his contribution to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, where he won the Player of the Tournament award and helped Ganguly lead India to reach the finals.

Read Also: ICC Men's Player of the Month: From January to November

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 17/12/2021.

The ICC men’s ODI World Cup has witnessed some of the greatest batters exhibiting their best in the quest for world glory. The World Cup is watched by millions of viewers across the globe, all thanks to the incredibly entertaining cricket action.

World Cup allows players to display their talents to the fullest, but oftentimes, players perform at a whole other level. Teams have exceeded 400 runs on the scorecard, batsmen have hit double centuries, and bowlers have dismissed entire teams for double-digit totals.

The World Cup has seen its share of highs and lows, but today, we take a look at the individual record for most centuries. So, let's take a look at the batters with most centuries in World Cup history.

Also Read: Youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century

Most Centuries in World Cup

6. Ricky Ponting | 5

Ricky Ponting also scored 5 centuries in World Cup history. In a glorious career spanning 46 World Cup matches between 1996 and 2011, he notched 1,743 runs.

His best score during this period was 140 not out. Under ponting's leadership, Australia bagged three World Cup titles.

5. Virat Kohli | 5

Virat Kohli has scored five centuries in World Cups across 36 innings. He played his first ever ODI World Cup in 2011 and has been a part of every squad that played the following World Cups.

In 2011, on his World Cup debut, Kohli scored a century. His next century came in 2015 against Pakistan. But it was in the 2023 World Cup that Kohli was at his absolute best, scoring three centuries. He is overall the second-highest run scorer in World Cups, with 1795 runs.

4. Kumar Sangakkara | 5

Kumar Sangakkara is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket history. Not just that, he has also scored the most centuries by a Sri Lankan player at the World Cup.

In 37 World Cup matches, Sangakkara scored five centuries, which were a part of the 1532 runs he scored in World Cups at an average of 56.74.

3. Sachin Tendulkar | 6

There is nearly no World Cup batting record of which Sachin Tendulkar is not a part. Tendulkar, who played six World Cups in his career, smashed six centuries in 44 innings. Sachin is also the top run-scorer in World Cup history, having amassed 2278 runs in 45 matches.

2011, when India broke their 28-year losing streak, was Sachin’s last World Cup. He also holds the record for the most fifties in World Cup history, with a total of 15 of them.

2. David Warner | 6

Australia’s destructive opening batsman David Warner comes second on this list. Warner has played every World Cup starting from the 2015 edition, and has scored six centuries in 29 innings. Two of these centuries came in the 2023 World Cup in India.

Overall from 2015 to 2023, he has scored 1527 runs in 29 games. His top score is 178 runs which came in the 2015 World Cup clash against Afghanistan. 

Also Read: Most Test Wins by a Team since 2010

1. Rohit Sharma | 7

Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma tops the list of most centuries in World Cup history. Rohit has scored a total of 7 centuries in World Cup history so far.

In a brilliant performance during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Rohit Sharma shattered his 7th century against Afghanistan. Rohit has scored 1575 runs in 28 innings from 2015 to 2023, in which his best score has been 140 runs.

One is called the God of Cricket, and the other is perhaps the greatest test batter of his generation. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Joe Root have contributed to test cricket in their own way.

Since Root started his incredible run with the bat in 2021, everyone started the Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar comparison in test cricket. Some even suggested that the former English captain might even break Sachin Tendulkar's test record as well. 

Before India take on England in another mouthwatering five-test match series, we will try to analyse whose test career is better. Is it Joe Root or Sachin Tendulkar? Who is better in test cricket? 

Sachin Tendulkar in test cricket - in numbers

Even before we get into comparing the players, we need to get the numbers right. 

Sachin, the highest run-getter in test and international cricket, scored 15921 test runs in a record 200 test matches. The Indian legend averaged 53.78 and also scored 51 test tons, which is also a record. 

Read Also | 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

Debuted at the age of 16, soon, Sachin soon became the then second youngest ever test centurion at the age of 17 years 107 days old. Sachin created that record when he smashed an unbeaten 119 against England in Manchester in 1990. 

He is still the youngest Indian to score an international ton. 

Other records Sachin has in his test career: 

• Most fours in test cricket (2058)
• Most fifties in test cricket (119)
• Fastest to 10000, 13000, 14000, 15000 test runs
• The only batter to surpass the mark of 14000 and 15000 test runs
• 3rd most test innings without a duck (91)
• 2nd most test hundreds in a calendar year (7 in 2010)

Read Also | The Most Memorable Test Centuries in Cricket History

Joe Root in test cricket - in numbers

Part of the modern fav-four in cricket, Joe Root debuted in 2012 against India and announced himself with a gritty 73 from 229 balls.

In his sixth test, he scored his first test hundred against New Zealand and then two tests later, he smashed a 180 against the Aussies at Lord's. 

With 13006, he is the fifth-highest run scorer in test cricket history. He is the highest international and test scorer for England. Moreover, he is also the batter with the most test tons and runs among active batters in world cricket. 

Root till now has played only 153 test matches and has a batting average of 50.80. Since the start of 2022, Root has scored 13 test tons, scoring 3475 runs at an average of 53.46. He is also the highest run scorer in World Test Championship history. 

Other records Root has in his test career:

• 3rd most test runs in a calendar year (1708, in 2021)
• 5th most test hundreds (36)
• 6th most test hundreds in a calendar year (6 in 2021)
• Most fifties in consecutive test matches (12)
• 4th most test fifties (101)

Root vs Sachin in Test Cricket: Comparison

Sachin currently has a lead over Joe Root in every aspect of numbers in test cricket. The master blaster has better records than Root in test cricket.

But to compare them, we will have to compare them with the current number of matches Root has played so far.

Sachin after 153 test matches 

Runs: 12152

Innings: 250

Average: 54.25

100s: 39

50s: 51

Highest: 248*

Sachin in wins after 153 tests: 

Won: 48 tests

Runs: 4011

Average: 62.67

100s: 13

50s: 16

Root after 153 test matches

Runs: 13006

Innings: 279

Average: 50.80

100s: 36

50s: 65

Highest: 262

Root in wins after 153 test matches:

Wins: 70 tests

Runs: 6999

Average: 64.21

100s: 25

50s: 28

So, if we compare Sachin's record to Joe Root's after 153 test matches, we can see that Root is leading the chart with more runs and more fifties. But, Sachin has a better batting average, more hundreds. 

However, in 153 test matches, Root won 70 test matches for England while Sachin had only won 48 test matches as a player. Although their batting averages in winning causes are nearly the same, Root has scored nearly 3000 more test runs on winning occasions for England. 

Bonus: Did you know who was ahead after 145 test matches each for Sachin and Root? 

Can Root catch Sachin in test cricket?

Although Joe Root has scored the most test runs if we compare their stats after 153 test matches, Sachin played nearly five years after playing his 153rd test match in 2008. 

Not only that, in those next 47 test matches he played for India, he scored 3769 runs at an average of 52.34 with 12 tons.

Root is currently 34, and can stretch his career for at least 4-5 years if he can stay fit. With the number of test matches England play every season, there is a certain possibility that Root can end up playing more than 200 test matches in his career. 

Even if he plays 47 more test matches and bats at least 75 innings, he would need 2915 test runs at an average of 38.87. 

With the current form Joe Root is in, this is quite possible for him to get. But, will he be able to keep the form like Sachin had done at the age of 35 and after? That's the question the World Cricket will be eyeing. 

Every young cricketer dreams of scoring a century for their nation on an international stage. But for a precious few, that dream became a jaw-dropping reality early in their careers.

India has been gifted with such memorable centuries by youngsters who later turned out to be cricketing legends. We are talking about Sachin Tendulkar and his unmatched legacy in the list of the youngest Indians to score an international century.

Check out the other names that follow up with their quality batting skills.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (17 years 107 days) | 1990

Sachin Tendulkar is the youngest Indian cricketer ever and the 3rd youngest overall to score an international century with his maiden century at Old Trafford, in August 1990. At just 17 years and 107 days old, he scored an unbeaten 119 in the fourth innings, helping India to save the Test match against England.

Sachin not only announced his arrival on the global stage with this knock, but also helped India secure a draw in the test.

Read Also: Sachin vs Kohli: Stats Comparison in Test Cricket

2. Prithvi Shaw (18 years 329 days) | 2018

Prithvi Shaw became the youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut and the second-youngest in this list of international centuries with his knock against the West Indies in October 2018. He was only 18 years and 329 days old at that time.

He reached his hundred in 99 balls and scored 134 runs in that innings, which marked a spectacular test debut.

3. Kapil Dev (20 years 18 days) | 1979

India's legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev, holds the third place with his century against the West Indies on home soil in 1979. It was his first test century, at the age of 20 years and 18 days. He was 126 not out in the particular innings.

4. Abbas Ali Baig (20 years 126 days) | 1959

Abbas Ali Baig scored his first test century at the age of 20 years and 126 days against England in July 1959. This made him the first Indian to score a century on Test debut outside India and the fourth youngest centurion in this elite list.

Apart from his brilliant achievements in the field of cricket, he is also famously remembered for being kissed by a female fan during a Test match in Bombay.

Read Also: Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments (men's)

5. Madhav Apte (20 years 137 days) | 1953

The former Indian test opener, Madhav Apte, scored his only test century at the age of 20 years 137 days in January 1953 against the West Indies. He made 163 not out in the fifth test of the series.

Despite the impressive century and a good tour, his Test career was surprisingly short-lived, playing only 7 tests.

6. Ajay Ratra (20 years 148 days) | 2002

Ajay Ratra is a former wicket-keeper batter who also had a short-lived test career, comprising 6 test matches. However, he scored an impactful century at only 20 years and 148 days of age, which puts him in the 6th place for the youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century.

He scored this in May 2002 against the West Indies and helped India secure a draw on a flat pitch.

7. Ravi Shastri (20 years 248 days) | 1983

Ravi Shastri scored his first test century in January 1983 at the age of 20 years and 248 days. He scored 128 in that innings against Pakistan's strong pace attack led by Imran Khan.

This innings transitioned him into an opening batsman, showcasing his finest skills and ability to adapt.

Read Also: 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

8. Vijay Manjrekar (20 years 253 days) | 1952

Vijay Manjrekar delivered a key performance on the international stage early in his career with his Test century against England in 1952. At the age of 20 years and 253 days, he stood elegantly against a great English bowling attack.

9. Gundappa Viswanath (20 years 276 days) | 1969

Gundappa Viswanath holds the 9th position with his maiden Test century against Australia in 1969, when he was 20 years and 276 days old. After a duck in his first innings, he bounced back with a magnificent 136 runs in the second innings.

This knock brought him into the limelight at an early age, and also helped the nation see his ability to score under pressure.

Read Also: Fastest Indians to score 2000 test runs

10. Rishabh Pant (20 years 338 days) | 2018

Rishabh Pant's aggressive and fearless approach came into light with his maiden Test century at 20 years and 338 days of age, making his way to the Top 10 youngest Indian cricketers to score an international century.

With this performance in 2018, Pant also became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score a test century in England.

In the thrilling world of international cricket, hitting sixes remains one of the most entertaining aspects of the game. Over the years, power-hitters have delighted fans by clearing boundaries with ease and rewriting records with their big-hitting skills.

Also Read: Fastest Indians to score 2000 test runs

Let's take a look at the batters with most sixes in international cricket history.

Most Sixes in International Cricket History

10. AB de Villiers | 328 Sixes

Former South African player AB de Villiers gets the 10th spot on this list. The former right-handed batsman slammed 328 sixes in international cricket. De Villiers shattered 64 sixes in Tests, 204 in ODIs, and 60 in the shortest format. During his career from 2004 to 2018, De Villiers was known as Mr. 360 due to his ability to smash sixes all over the ground.

9. Eoin Morgan | 346 Sixes

England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan represented both Ireland and England. From 2006 to 2022, he hit 346 sixes in international cricket. The English player has slammed 6 sixes in Tests, 220 in ODIs, and 120 in T20Is. Morgan captained England to their first ICC Cricket World Cup win in 2019.

8. Sanath Jayasuriya | 352 Sixes

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasurya grabs the 8th spot on this list. Jayasuriya, who played from 1989 to 2011, was widely popular for his ability to smash sixes. The former left-handed batsman slammed 352 sixes in international cricket during his active career. The former Sri Lanka opener smacked 59 sixes in Tests, 270 in ODIs, and 23 in T20Is. Jayasuriya retired in 2011 from international cricket.

7. MS Dhoni | 359 Sixes

Former Indian captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni bags 7th spot in this list. Dhoni accounts for 359 sixes in international cricket. Dhoni, who played for India from 2004 to 2019, slammed 78 sixes in Tests and 229 in ODIs. The wicketkeeper-batsman slammed 52 sixes in the shortest format as well. His leadership and batting prowess led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

6. Jos Buttler | 369 Sixes

Jos Buttler, England's dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, has been a key player since his debut in 2011. By 2025, he amassed 369 sixes in international cricket. Buttler's innovative stroke play and aggressive batting have been instrumental in England's recent successes.

5. Martin Guptill | 383 Sixes

Martin Guptill, another prominent New Zealand batsman, has been a consistent performer since his debut in 2009. As of 2022, he has hit 383 sixes in international cricket. In Tests, the right-handed batsman has shattered 23 sixes. The opening batsman has also slammed 187 sixes in ODIs and 173 sixes in T20Is.

Also Read: England vs India Test series: 9 test matches India won so far on English soil

4. Brendon McCullum | 398 Sixes

Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum grabs the 4th spot in this list. The former right-handed batsman accounts for 398 sixes in international cricket. The former Kiwi opener slammed 107 sixes in Tests, 200 in ODIs, and 91 in T20Is. Mccullum played for New Zealand from 2002 to 2016.

3. Shahid Afridi | 476 Sixes

Shahid Afridi, affectionately known as "Boom Boom," was famous for his explosive batting style. Representing Pakistan from 1996 to 2018, Afridi hit 476 sixes in international cricket. The former Pakistan skipper accounts for 52 sixes in Tests, 351 in ODIs, and 73 in T20Is. Afridi retired from international cricket in 2018.

2. Chris Gayle | 553 Sixes

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle steals the second spot in this list. Gayle, known as the "Universe Boss," is one of the most destructive batsmen in cricket history. Over his career spanning from 1999 to 2021, he amassed 553 sixes in international cricket. Gayle has slammed 98 sixes in Tests, 331 sixes in ODIs, and 124 sixes in T20Is.

1. Rohit Sharma | 637 Sixes

Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team in ODI formats, is renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. He holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, with a total of 637 sixes across all formats. Notably, he also holds the record for the highest individual score in a One Day International (ODI) match, with 264 runs.

Also Read: Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments (men's)

Here is the list of the top 25 players with the most sixes in international cricket:

Recently the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle ended. The final match of which was won by South Africa. South Africa was successful in winning its first ICC trophy after 27 years after defeating Australia. But amidst all this, former South African captain AB de Villiers has raised questions on the WTC format and has demanded several reforms from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Also Read: Winners list of last 10 ICC Tournaments (men's)

De Villiers raised questions on the WTC format

AB de Villiers has strongly advocated making the World Test Championship schedule more fair and consistent for all Test playing nations. De Villiers, 41, has suggested a four-year cycle like the ODI World Cup, instead of the current two-year cycle, to ensure every team can compete against other Test-playing sides.

Speaking to BBC Sport, AB de Villiers expressed his disappointment. He said, “We’ve had some very disappointing and sad ends to a lot of campaigns, especially the World Cups, but now it’s time to start believing that we can do this more often,” 

“[This moment] won’t be lost. It was too big and too special for all South Africans – it was a Test match no one will ever forget. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done.”

De Villiers advocates making WTC a balanced system

AB de Villiers further elaborated during this interaction, “I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there’s work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations.”

“You want to get to that final feeling like you’ve played against all these nations,” De Villiers added. “Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We’ve done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there.”

De Villiers believes a longer cycle will allow teams to play a sufficient number of matches, making a team's journey to the final more credible.

Also Read: Best figures in ICC WTC Final

South Africa played least number of Test matches in WTC 2023-25

De Villiers' comments come at a time when the Proteas have played the least number of Test matches (12) among the nine teams during the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. The number was a full 10 matches less than England's 22, while Australia, who face South Africa, played 19 matches during the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.