Indian Premier League (IPL) - Player of the Tournament - 2008 to 2017

2008: Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals)

Shane Watson was one of the major reasons for Rajasthan Royals' triumph in the inaugural IPL. He provided the perfect balance to the side. The Australian all-rounder could bat at any position and bowl at any stage of the innings.

With the bat, he scored 472 runs at an exceptional average of 47.20 and a staggering strike-rate of 151.76. With the ball, he took 17 wickets during the tournament with best figures of 3/10. Despite bowling in the powerplay and at the death, his economy was just over seven.

2009: Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers)

Adam Gilchrist was the captain of the Deccan Chargers in 2009. As was expected of him, the Australian keeper-batsman led by example to finish as the second highest run-getter in the tournament.

Adam Gilchrist scored 495 runs in the tournament at an average of 30.39 and a strike-rate of 152.30. He hit 29 sixes, which was the highest by any player.

Adam Gilchrist was also excellent behind the stumps as he effected 18 dismissals with his keeping gloves on. Most importantly, he led his side to their maiden IPL title.

2010: Sachin Tendulkar (Mumbai Indians)

In the third season of the IPL, Sachin Tendulkar became the first ever Indian to win this award. He captained the Mumbai Indians and led his team to the final, where they lost to CSK.

Sachin Tendulkar was the highest run-getter in the tournament as he amassed 618 runs at a very healthy average of 47.53. In this process, he beat Shaun Marsh’s record for most runs in a season.

2011: Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

After KKR chose to relieve themselves of Chris Gayle’s services, he went unsold in the 2011 IPL auction. An injury to Dirk Nannes led to RCB calling up Gayle as his replacement and what followed was nothing short of remarkable.

Joining late meant that Gayle got just 12 games to play for RCB. It didn’t affect the southpaw one bit as he still ended the league as the highest run scorer. The Jamaican scored 608 runs with an average of 67.55 at a mind-blowing strike-rate of 183.13.

During the tournament, he hit two centuries. The big man hit 44 sixes, 21 more than the second best in the tournament. Though RCB lost in the final, Gayle’s season remains one of the most impactful in IPL history.

Chris Gayle's Two Centuries in the 2011 IPL

1. 102 (55)* Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, 2011

After being overlooked by Kolkata Knight Riders at the auctions, Gayle fired a blistering century against his former team, and took his side to a comfortable win. In his knock of 102, Gayle struck 10 fours and seven sixes. Chasing 172, Gayle formed a 123-run partnership with Tilakaratne Dishan for the opening wicket. RCB won the match with nine wickets to spare.

2. 107 (49) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab at Chinnaswamy Stadium, 2011

This was Gayle’s second century in the same year. This time the opposition was Kings XI Punjab. Gayle powered his way to 49-ball 107, that took his team to 205/6. This was his first hundred in Bangalore as he hit nine sixes and 10 fours.

2012: Sunil Narine (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The off-spinner from Trinidad took the IPL by storm with his unique bowling style in 2012. He was bought by KKR for that edition and has been a part of the franchise ever since.

Narine took 24 wickets in 15 matches at an outstanding average of 13.50. In a format where the batsmen dominate, Narine managed an economy of just 5.47.

His best figures of 5/19 came against KXIP at the Eden Gardens. He bamboozled the Punjab line-up with his variations. Narine was one of the chief reasons for KKR making the final that year, which they eventually won.

2013: Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals)

In 2013, Shane Watson became the first player to win this award twice. It was again his all-round performance that got him the award.

Shane Watson was the fifth highest run-getter in the tournament with 543 runs at an average of 38.78 and a strike-rate of 142.89. His highest score of 101 came against CSK at the Chidambaram Stadium.

Shane Watson, the bowler, took 13 wickets in the tournament with best figures of 3/22

2014: Glenn Maxwell (KXIP)

The 2014 season was a dream one for KXIP until the final game, which they lost to KKR. Glenn Maxwell played a huge role in taking the Punjab team to the final. The Australian batsman took aggression to a whole new level and was dismissed in the 90s three times.

In the 16 matches that he played, Maxwell scored 552 runs at an average of 34.50, with a strike-rate of 187.75. He also hit the highest number of sixes in the tournament

2015: Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The big-hitting West Indian all-rounder set the eighth edition of IPL on fire with his performances. He stood up when his team was in trouble, on numerous occasions throughout the tournament.

Russell scored 326 runs with the bat at an average of 36.22 and a superlative strike-rate of 192.89. He hit 19 sixes and 35 fours in the eleven innings that he played.

2016: Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

The Most Valuable Player award didn’t quite suit Virat Kohli, for he was truly “invaluable” in the ninth season of the IPL. The RCB captain broke numerous records with the bat during the season.

He broke the record for ‘most number of runs in a season’ by a margin of 240. The Delhiite scored 973 runs in the entire tournament at a staggering average of 81.08 with a strike rate of 152.03.

In the 16 innings that he played, Kohli scored 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries. The level of dominance he exerted could be gauged from when he hit a century against KXIP in a 15-over game.

 He also achieved the distinction of hitting the most number of sixes in the tournament

 

2017: Ben Stokes (Rising Pune Supergiant)

Rising Pune Supergiants changed their name to Rising Pune Supergiant before the start of the 10th season, but they certainly needed something bigger to change their fortunes.

The cricket world was buzzing when Ben Stokes was sold to the Pune side for Rs.14.5 crore. Many were unsure if such a huge amount should have been splurged on a single player. Stokes made sure that all those theories were laid to rest.

In the 10th season of the IPL, the English all-rounder scored 316 runs in 11 innings at an average of 31.60. He hit a fine century against CSK to get his team out of trouble. The century included 7 fours and 6 sixes.

With the ball, he took 12 wickets with best figures of 3/18. Like all good bowlers, he too maintained his economy despite bowling the challenging overs.

 

The Jamaican scalped 14 wickets with the ball, with best figures of 3/32. He was entrusted by the captain to bowl up front and at the death and still emerged with an economy under 8.